No need to restore mandatory masking – DOH

MANILA, Philippines — Even with the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) said it sees no need to reimpose the mandatory face mask rule.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said they still don’t see the need to revive the mandatory face masking policy in the country.

“In terms of returning the mask mandate, no such discussions are ongoing. The DOH believes that the current voluntary masking policy can be maintained as long as the people know when they should wear their masks,” Vergeire said at yesterday’s press conference.

The DOH also said that the country’s isolation and quarantine policy for COVID-19 will not be amended despite the rising number of cases.

The health official stressed that the public should not be alarmed with the increasing COVID infections since the cases are not as high compared to the previous years of the pandemic.

“We are not denying that cases are going up. Our cases are up from 274 cases per day last week, to 371 cases per day now,” said Vergeire.

“Cases are climbing but not as big as the numbers we had in the past years. Cases are expected to increase and decrease depending on the activities in the country.”

However, she reiterated that what is more important is that hospitals and other health care facilities are not overwhelmed.

Based on the latest COVID-19 Case Bulletin, the country has an average of 341 cases daily (April 10 to 16), which is 23 percent higher than cases reported from April 3 to 9 (278 cases per day).

As to the country’s COVID-19 positivity rate, the DOH said it went up from 6.9 percent last week to 7.6 percent this week.

The DOH came out with the statement following reports that the Manila City government is assessing if mandating the use of face masks indoors and outdoors should be implemented again, given the surge in COVID cases.

Rules on 2nd booster

The DOH said local government units (LGUs) may start giving COVID-19 second booster shots to the general population following its release of the guidelines for the vaccine rollout.

“We already signed the guidelines a few days ago. We are now disseminating them to all LGUs,” Vergeire said. “We are encouraging all LGUs to integrate COVID-19 vaccination in their regular health programs and services so that they are more accessible to the communities.”

Under the guidelines, all individuals aged 18 years and older may now get their second booster doses. Healthy adults can avail of Moderna, Pfizer or AstraZeneca shots six months after the first booster shots were received, or even after it already exceeded the six-month interval.

As to the immunocompromised, second booster doses of Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac or Sinopharm can be given three months after the first booster dose or even after it already exceeded the recommended interval.

Particularly, in the case of persons with comorbidities and pregnant or breastfeeding women, second booster shots may be given either three months (AstraZeneca) or four months (Moderna, Pfizer) after the first booster shot.

“Let us take part in the efforts to maintain (our wall of immunity) by completing our primary series, and first and second booster shots so we can all stay protected against COVID-19,” said Vergeire.

As of March 20, more than 78.4 million Filipinos have been fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, while over 23.8 million fully-vaccinated individuals have received their first booster doses.

Meanwhile, there are almost 4.4 million health care workers, senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals and people with comorbidities who have received second booster shots.

Red Cross ready

Philippine Red Cross chairman and chief executive officer Richard Gordon said they are prepared in case the cases of COVID-19 would surge during the 33rd Biennial National Convention on Tuesday.

According to Gordon, their testing laboratories are still there to provide help for those seeking COVID-19 tests. The PRC chief also added that training for volunteers is still being conducted and they still continue to vaccinate people to help stop the spread of the virus.

“The important thing is you catch it before it spreads,” Gordon said, emphasizing that “testing is very important.” – Mark Ernest Villeza