DOH observes 'small increase' in COVID cases | ABS-CBN
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DOH observes 'small increase' in COVID cases
MANILA — Tricycle driver Luis Alcantara cannot deny that he is health conscious, as he has diabetes and hypertension.
MANILA — Tricycle driver Luis Alcantara cannot deny that he is health conscious, as he has diabetes and hypertension.
He is used to wearing his face mask and diligently goes to checkups.
He is used to wearing his face mask and diligently goes to checkups.
"Sa June 1... lab[oratory test] na naman... Gusto ko pang mabuhay, kasama ko pa iyong apo ko," Alcantara told ABS-CBN News.
"Sa June 1... lab[oratory test] na naman... Gusto ko pang mabuhay, kasama ko pa iyong apo ko," Alcantara told ABS-CBN News.
(On June 1... I have another laboratory test... I still want to live, I still want to be with my grandchild.)
(On June 1... I have another laboratory test... I still want to live, I still want to be with my grandchild.)
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"Mag-mask parati... Pag mainit, pahinga muna," he advised.
"Mag-mask parati... Pag mainit, pahinga muna," he advised.
(Always wear a mask... If it’s hot, rest first.)
(Always wear a mask... If it’s hot, rest first.)
The Department of Health (DOH) has observed a "small increase" in COVID-19 cases, although its spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said they are not "alarmed" but "on alert".
The Department of Health (DOH) has observed a "small increase" in COVID-19 cases, although its spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said they are not "alarmed" but "on alert".
The DOH said that "while there is an observed increase recently, it is small and lower than previously observed increases."
The DOH said that "while there is an observed increase recently, it is small and lower than previously observed increases."
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa in a Palace briefing said the government is not considering border control measures or mandatory masking for now.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa in a Palace briefing said the government is not considering border control measures or mandatory masking for now.
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"But I am advising every Filipino, since that’s happening... iyong (practice) minimum public health standards. If you are sick, you have colds, sore throat, it’s better to stay home. If you need to go out, wear a mask."
"But I am advising every Filipino, since that’s happening... iyong (practice) minimum public health standards. If you are sick, you have colds, sore throat, it’s better to stay home. If you need to go out, wear a mask."
He said that those who are vulnerable — the elderly and the immunocompromised — are the ones who should see a doctor if they have symptoms of possible COVID-19.
He said that those who are vulnerable — the elderly and the immunocompromised — are the ones who should see a doctor if they have symptoms of possible COVID-19.
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has determined new variants under monitoring (VUM): JN.1.18 and the “FLiRT” variants KP.2 and KP.3.
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has determined new variants under monitoring (VUM): JN.1.18 and the “FLiRT” variants KP.2 and KP.3.
Named for the amino acid changes in the virus, the DOH said a FLiRT infection is not particularly severe.
Named for the amino acid changes in the virus, the DOH said a FLiRT infection is not particularly severe.
Herbosa shared that FLiRT variants, however, are highly contagious.
Herbosa shared that FLiRT variants, however, are highly contagious.
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"Apparently, mabilis siyang makahawa... so it's contagious but it's not virulent, that doesn't kill... So iyon ang binabantayan natin — the behavior of this new variant... Maybe it's nothing to worry about," he said.
"Apparently, mabilis siyang makahawa... so it's contagious but it's not virulent, that doesn't kill... So iyon ang binabantayan natin — the behavior of this new variant... Maybe it's nothing to worry about," he said.
(Apparently, it's highly contagious... but not virulent, it doesn't kill... So that's what we're monitoring –the behavior of this new variant... Maybe it's nothing to worry about.)
(Apparently, it's highly contagious... but not virulent, it doesn't kill... So that's what we're monitoring –the behavior of this new variant... Maybe it's nothing to worry about.)
He added there are still too few samples to test to determine whether the new COVID cases are caused by FLiRT.
He added there are still too few samples to test to determine whether the new COVID cases are caused by FLiRT.
OTHER PRESSING DISEASES
According to the DOH, 877 news COVID cases were reported from May 7 to 13, or an average of 125 cases daily. Out of these cases, seven were severe or critical. Meanwhile, five deaths were recorded in the recent two weeks.
According to the DOH, 877 news COVID cases were reported from May 7 to 13, or an average of 125 cases daily. Out of these cases, seven were severe or critical. Meanwhile, five deaths were recorded in the recent two weeks.
As of May 12, 11 percent of dedicated COVID ICU beds and 13 percent of non-ICU beds were occupied.
As of May 12, 11 percent of dedicated COVID ICU beds and 13 percent of non-ICU beds were occupied.
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When asked if hospitals should get ready for a possible surge of COVID cases, Herbosa said there are other diseases that Filipinos should be guarding against.
When asked if hospitals should get ready for a possible surge of COVID cases, Herbosa said there are other diseases that Filipinos should be guarding against.
"Dapat mong makatakutan ang mga taong Pilipino[ng] namamatay sa heart attack and stroke, cancer, diabetes... That's what I want people to learn about: I want them to learn how to prevent getting a heart attack, how to prevent getting out of a stroke, how to control their hypertension, how to control their diabetes or not get diabetes... Iyong top 10 killers natin... because all of these are preventable. Iyong COVID, ubo't sipon lang iyon."
"Dapat mong makatakutan ang mga taong Pilipino[ng] namamatay sa heart attack and stroke, cancer, diabetes... That's what I want people to learn about: I want them to learn how to prevent getting a heart attack, how to prevent getting out of a stroke, how to control their hypertension, how to control their diabetes or not get diabetes... Iyong top 10 killers natin... because all of these are preventable. Iyong COVID, ubo't sipon lang iyon."
(You should be more concerned about Filipinos dying from heart attacks, strokes, cancer, diabetes... That's what I want people to learn about: I want them to learn how to prevent heart attacks, how to prevent strokes, how to control their hypertension, how to control their diabetes or avoid getting diabetes – our top 10 killers – because all of these are preventable. COVID is just cough and colds now.)
(You should be more concerned about Filipinos dying from heart attacks, strokes, cancer, diabetes... That's what I want people to learn about: I want them to learn how to prevent heart attacks, how to prevent strokes, how to control their hypertension, how to control their diabetes or avoid getting diabetes – our top 10 killers – because all of these are preventable. COVID is just cough and colds now.)
Herbosa advised the public to consult their doctor if respiratory disease symptoms persist, including fever, cough and colds, headache.
Herbosa advised the public to consult their doctor if respiratory disease symptoms persist, including fever, cough and colds, headache.
For his part, Domingo told those with confirmed mild COVID to isolate for a minimum of five days, and extend this to two to three days if antigen tests continue to yield positive results.
For his part, Domingo told those with confirmed mild COVID to isolate for a minimum of five days, and extend this to two to three days if antigen tests continue to yield positive results.
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