By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
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| Drive-thru testing in Manila (File photo) |
MANILA – Malacañang on Friday said it was saddened that the total
confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the Philippines has
jumped to over 61,000.
In an interview with state-run PTV-4, Presidential Spokesperson Harry
Roque said it was disheartening that the University of the Philippines (UP)
researchers’ initial prediction of 60,000 Covid-19 cases in the country by July
31 happened before the month ends.
“Ngayon, nagkatotoo na nga. Hindi pa tapos ang buwan. Nakakalungkot po
iyan. Nag-bago pa sila (UP researchers) ng forecast na mas maraming
magkakasakit ng Covid (Now, the prediction becomes true. It’s just less than a
month. It’s saddening. They even changed their forecast, saying that many more
will get infected with Covid),” Roque said.
Roque issued the statement a day after Covid-19 infections in the
Philippines rose to 61,266.
As of Thursday, the Philippines has reported that around 21,440
Covid-19 patients have recovered while 1,643 others have died of coronavirus.
In June, a group of researchers from UP projected that the country is
likely to hit 60,000 Covid-19 cases by end of July.
The group revised its projection, saying the Covid-19 infections could
top 85,000 by the end of July, considering the disease’s transmission rate and
doubling time.
Strategies still working
Despite the latest development, Roque remained confident that the
quarantine measures imposed by the government are still “working” to combat
Covid-19.
“Gumagana naman po dahil kung hindi po tayo gumalaw, eh di
milyun-milyon na po ang may Covid (They are still working because millions of
people would have acquired Covid-19, had we failed to take appropriate
actions),” Roque said.
Roque was referring to experts’ previous warning that the number of
Filipinos who might get infected with Covid-19 could be up to 8.3 million, in
case the government fails to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
Roque said the government’s strategies to contain Covid-19 are
effective since only a few people are dying of Covid-19.
“So gumagana naman po dahil maliit pa rin ang bilang ng mga namamatay
sa sakit na ito (So our strategies are still working because the number of
people dying due to this disease is just low),” he said.
Roque also maintained that with the cooperation of the public, the
country would be successful in its fight against Covid-19.
He reminded everyone anew to continue wearing face masks, washing
hands, and observing social distancing to curb the spread of the novel
coronavirus.
“Ang importante po ngayon, makipag-cooperate po tayo (What’s important
now is the cooperation of everyone),” he said. (PNA)
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