Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 1) — The country’s top health official said there could be a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the coming days and that this was expected because of the holidays.
“Kung sakaling tumaas yung mga kaso in the coming days, that is expected kasi nag-holidays tayo. Pero hopefully, at sa tingin natin hindi ganoon tataas,” said Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire.
[Translation: Should cases go up in the coming days, that is expected because we’re coming back from the holidays. But hopefully, and we believe, it won’t be too high.]
She said, however, that the important thing is that the country remains prepared for this situation.
“At kung sakaling mangyayari yan, handa ang sistema natin para tayo ay makaagapay dito sa pagtaas ng kaso because of COVID-19,” she said.
[Translation: Should that happen, our health system is ready to cope with the increase in cases due to COVID-19.]
On Saturday, the DOH issued Department Memorandum 2022-0575 ordering increased surveillance on passengers arriving from China where there is an increase in the number of cases.
“Following the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in China, there is a need for the country to intensify the monitoring and implementation of border control protocols for incoming individuals, especially from China, at all ports of entry,” the DOH said.
