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Two key health officials disagree on what exactly is triggering the widespread community transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), and their differences could make it difficult to craft a more robust coronavirus response.
Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., the government’s main executor of the response to the pandemic, blames the practice of allowing home quarantine for asymptomatic and mild cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) for the increase continuity of community transmission, particularly in Metro Manila. .
The practice has been recommended by the Department of Health (DoH) and is defended by the Undersecretary of Health, María Rosario Vergeire.
Gálvez said that Covid-19 patients who isolate themselves at home increase the risk of infecting the rest of the home.
We first saw flaws in common home quarantine practices that caused widespread community transmission in Metro Manila, Region 4A (Calabarzon), Region 7 (Central Visayas), Iligan, Bacolod, and other parts of the country (We first noted that the common practice of the home quarantine was the cause of widespread community transmission in Metro Manila, Region 4A, Region 7, Iligan, Bacolod and other places in the country), ”said Gálvez during a virtual press conference on Thursday night.
He said home quarantine was one of the challenges in enforcing the government’s action plan against the pandemic.
He urged the public to be disciplined and restrained while waiting for a Covid-19 vaccine, which is expected to be available next year.
“The longer a Covid-19 patient stays at home, the greater the chances that it will infect others,” Galvez said.
“Let’s emulate Taiwan and Vietnam. Due to their discipline, their cases are low, ”she said.
Vergeire disagrees with Gálvez, attributing the increase in community transmission mainly to the gradual reopening of the economy, which leads to greater mobility among people.
In a media forum on Friday, Vergeire said that while there are cases attributed to home quarantine, it should not be the sole culprit for the increase in Covid-19 cases.
“It is true that we have seen an increase in the number of cases due to the gradual opening of our economy. But we know that the increase in economic activities implies greater mobility among our population, which increases the chances of getting infected, ”he said.
Vergeire said the growing number of cases among the 20-49 age group is not due to a new strain of the virus, but rather because this age group tends to go to work and run errands for other members of the household.
The DoH has continued to recommend home quarantine as long as the guidelines are strictly followed, he said.
There should be a dedicated room and bathroom, and there should be no vulnerable family members around, Vergeire said.
The inter-agency Covid-19 task force discouraged home quarantine and pushed for isolation at the facility for coronavirus cases.
But the DoH clarified that home quarantine was still allowed as long as the rules were strictly observed.
Later, the government launched Oplan Kalinga, a program in which mild, asymptomatic cases whose houses are not conducive to home isolation are taken to state quarantine facilities.
There were 3,714 new cases on Friday, bringing the total to 232,072.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered the random screening of passengers inside public service vehicles as part of its efforts to increase police visibility and ensure that passengers adhere to health protocols.
LtGen. Guillermo Eleazar, commander of the PNP Joint Task Force Covid Shield, said he instructed all police commanders to intensify their visibility in transportation hubs and other areas where travelers congregate.
“Operators, drivers and even passengers have an obligation to make sure they are protected against those who would defy the rules,” Eleazar said in a statement Friday.
He warned that people who disobey health protocols would be punished “to send a strong message that we are serious in our mandate to protect Filipinos from coronavirus infection.”
Eleazar ordered the PNP Highway Patrol Group to carry out the checks at random.
According to police records, more than 365,000 quarantine violators have been detained since March 17, when President Rodrigo Duterte imposed the enhanced community quarantine.
With Dempsey Reyes and RED MENDOZA
