Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 7)— The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday warned that a surge in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines is still likely, especially with the expected gatherings during Holy Week celebrations and the election season.
“From April to May 2022, Filipinos will observe Ramadan and Holy Week and engage in election-related activities,” acting WHO representative to the Philippines Dr. Rajendra Yadav said in a statement. “With the unsafe gatherings and social mixing expected in the next two months, a surge in COVID-19 cases is quite likely.”
Yadav urged Filipinos to mask up and avail of COVID-19 booster shots to prepare for a potential spike in infections.
He underscored the importance of continuously recalibrating pandemic response strategies.
“Therefore, WHO recommends focusing on the priority groups that remain unvaccinated and house-to-house vaccination for these groups,” the official added.
Yadav also suggested the rollout of community-based inoculation drives and to reduce “overreliance on mega-sites.”
The WHO’s pronouncement comes in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent directive of bringing vaccines directly to people’s homes.
Around 67 million Filipinos have been fully inoculated against COVID-19, according to latest government data.
