MANILA, Philippines — Coronavirus infections in some areas in Central Visayas are rising, but the Department of Health (DOH) refused to confirm that the region is experiencing a third wave of the pandemic.
In a press briefing yesterday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the cases in the region are slowly increasing. She said the DOH central office would coordinate with the DOH-Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) in looking at the cases.
The DOH-RESU declared over the weekend that Central Visayas was experiencing a third wave of COVID-19 infections.
“We will coordinate with them regarding this matter, although we have already verified their numbers. They have this granularity in their analysis,” Vergeire said.
She said increases in the cases were observed in Cebu City and Cebu province.
The rising trend can be due to the presence of COVID variants, she said.
“Aside from the variants, there are also other factors that can contribute to the rise of the cases,” she added.
Vergeire cited increased mobility, relaxed border controls and non-compliance with minimum health standards and safety protocols as factors that could cause COVID cases to spike.
“COVID variants will always be the major factor, but there are multiple factors that must be considered,” she said.