Push Admin

Filipinos told to be optimistic but cautious on declining trend of COVID-19 cases

Article (news)

Arianne Merez, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/09/08/20200826-covid-ylaya-street-vendors-gc-1580.jpg"/><figcaption>People flock to the newly opened stalls along Ylaya Street in Divisoria, Manila on August 26, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — While the reported decline in new COVID-19 cases is a reason to be optimistic, Filipinos should still be cautious of the virus, an official leading the country&#x27;s pandemic response said Tuesday.Researchers from the University of the Philippines on Sunday said Metro Manila— the country&#x27;s coronavirus epicenter— and the neighboring Southern Tagalog region are starting to <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/06/20/metro-manila-calabarzon-see-flattening-of-covid-19-curve-analyst">flatten</a> the pandemic curve, as the virus reproduction rate in the two regions is estimated at 0.95, below the threshold of &quot;1.&quot;&quot;Iyon pong tinatawag nating optimism with caution, dapat i-caution pa rin natin na huwag tayong magkumpiyansa,&quot; COVID-19 policy chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr said in a virtual press briefing.(It should be optimism with caution. We cannot be complacent.)The reported declining trend in new virus infections can be attributed to increased public awareness on the needed minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks, he added.&quot;Nakita natin dahil siguro tumaas na rin ang consciousness ng ating mga mamamayan ay talagang nag-a-ano na sila ng face shield at saka face mask kaya bumaba po ang nakita nating reproduction,&quot; Galvez said.(We saw the increased consciousness of the people that they are now wearing face shields and face masks that&#x27;s why the reproduction rate of the virus is slowing.)Earlier, the government required the public to wear face shields on top of the mandated face masks in public transport and commercial establishments.The government is looking at September as a &quot;transition point&quot; to more relaxed virus restrictions, Galvez said after it made quarantine protocols implemented on Sept. 1 effective for a month instead of the usual 15-day period.&quot;Nakikita po namin itong September po na ito maganda po ito na maging transition,&quot; Galvez said.(We see September as a good period for a transition.)Only three areas remain under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine until the end of the month: Iligan City, Bacolod City, and Lanao del Sur.The rest of the Philippines have eased virus restrictions to general community quarantine and modified GCQ.

While the reported decline in new COVID-19 cases is a reason to be optimistic, Filipinos should still be cautious of the virus, a leader of the country's pandemic response said Tuesday.

While the reported decline in new COVID-19 cases is a reason to be optimistic, Filipinos should still be cautious of the virus, a leader of the country's pandemic response said Tuesday.

Filipinos told to be optimistic but cautious on declining trend of COVID-19 cases

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

Filipinos told to be optimistic but cautious on declining trend of COVID-19 cases

Arianne Merez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 08, 2020 03:09 PM PHT

Read More:

flattening curve PH

COVID-19 curve PH

COVID-19 PH curve

Philippines COVID-19

Carlito Galvez

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.