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MANILA, Philippines – In the opinion of Secretary Francisco Duque III, 2020 has been the most difficult year in the history of the Department of Health (DOH) as the agency found itself searching for solutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Enough ako ang masasabi ko lang (What I can only say is), 2020 is the most difficult year in the history of the department, the most difficult,” he said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay online media forum on Wednesday.
However, Duque was quick to point out that even the most powerful countries have also faced the unforeseen pandemic that has already claimed the lives of more than a million people around the world.
“I have no hard feelings because I know that the whole world has come to its knees. Everyone, even the most powerful countries, really cried for COVID-19, ”Duque said.
(I have no resentment because I know the whole world has come to its knees. Everyone, even the most powerful countries, has shed tears over COVID-19.)
“Everyone cried here, too scared, too hesitant, too many unknowns (Everyone cried, people are scared and worried. There are many unknown things),” he added.
However, he noted that the government has continued to improve its pandemic response capacity amid the continuing threat from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease.
He specifically praised the information campaign on the pandemic launched by DOH. “In that area, we have scored, I think, a lot. We have had a good performance ”, said the Chief of Health.
Meanwhile, Duque also noted improvements in the current figures on the country’s testing capacity and laboratories compared to the situation at the start of the pandemic.
“Nine months ago, we had almost like what, only six quarantine facilities and you can count on your fingers how many beds we had. We are now more than 170,000 and our test labs [increased] from one to 191, our capacity from 300 tests a day to around 34,000 or 35,000 a day, ”he added.
He also said that the government has “managed to keep down” the rate of use of critical care in hospitals.
To recall, the government reimposed strict lockdown measures in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces in August, in response to a request by medical workers for a “time out” to prevent the collapse of the healthcare system amid the surge. continuum of coronavirus infections.
In November, the DOH noted that the country saw its total number of new COVID-19 cases drop by 25 percent in October, which was partly due to the decline in the number of infections in Metro Manila.
But in early December, Duque warned that there are already signs of an “initial increase” in COVID-19 cases, particularly in parts of Metro Manila, as well as in the Ilocos region, the Cagayan valley and the Cordillera administrative region. before the holiday season. .
The Undersecretary of Health, María Rosario Vergeire, had also warned of an increase in coronavirus infections in the country due to expected family reunions and other celebrations this Christmas. However, he said this could be mitigated with strict adherence to health protocols.
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PH now has the most COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia
DOH: Follow Health Protocols Despite ‘Pandemic Fatigue’
DOH Sees 25% Drop in COVID-19 Cases
Duque warns of ‘initial spike’ in COVID-19 cases
For more news on the new coronavirus, click here.
What you need to know about the coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
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