Covid-19 could become ‘endemic’ within the year
NATIONAL government officials believe the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) could become “endemic” by March or the next few months this year.
Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer and vaccine czar of the National Task Force Against Covid-19, said they are looking at the possibility that they would switch to an “endemic response” should more people get vaccinated or secure immunity against Covid-19.
Endemic is used to describe a disease that is prevalent in or restricted to a particular location, region, or population compared to a pandemic that has spread throughout the country or the whole world.
But for Secretary Vivencio Dizon, deputy chief implementer and testing czar of the National Task Force, they can only apply an endemic response depending on the advice of health experts.
Dizon explained that their focus right now is to help other areas in the country where Covid-19 cases are still surging, including some parts of the Visayas.
But Galvez and Dizon said everyone should not be complacent while the country is preparing for the transition, citing Covid-19’s rapid evolution and the need to listen to the advice of the experts.
Should this be realized soon, Dizon said, they propose that wearing of face masks be retained as it adds a very strong layer of protection.
Both NTF officials noted that it is high time for a policy shift, saying that implementing a lockdown is not sustainable even with the presence of the Omicron variant.
Changes in policy such as allowing fully vaccinated travelers from other countries and requiring unvaccinated ones to present a negative RT-PCR test result should also be applied, both officials said.
Separately, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, chief pathologist of the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7), also said the national government’s new policy is a “smart move,” citing its role in helping in the recovery of the country’s affected tourism industry.
Alert level
Meanwhile, Gen. Melquiades Feliciano, deputy implementer of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Visayas, hopes that Cebu’s Alert Level 3 status will be eased to Alert Level 2 on Feb. 16, 2022.
As Feliciano noted that Covid-19 cases in Cebu, particularly in Cebu City, have started to decline in the last few days.
Feliciano said Cebu may already have reached its peak more than a week ago due to the surge of cases brought by the Omicron variant.
He stressed that the decline in cases is due to the vaccination outputs particularly in Metro Cebu and restrictions from the local government units, such as implementing curfews and inspections of establishments.
While there are worries about unreported cases of Covid-19, Feliciano said that while it is true, still the main indicator is the healthcare utilization rate or the number of admitted patients.
Source: https://bit.ly/3ARFF6Y
