Philippines ranks 2nd in Southeast Asia with Covid-19 cases devises containment strategies

Philippines surpassed Singapore with Covid-19 cases. Malacañang announced that the country has the second highest number of cases in Southeast Asia.

Photo credit: nbc12.com

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque focused on the role of local government units in enforcing localized lockdowns in barangay, streets and buildings and the strict implementation of minimum public health standards. The government is taking steps to improve the country's contact tracing, isolation and treatment efforts.

Malacañang also appealed to employers to do Covid-19 tests for their employees and for vulnerable groups like the elderlies, pregnant women and people that have other diseases that can be complicated when infected to stay at home. 

Indonesia is at the top in Southeast Asian countries in terms of COVID-19 cases with 64,958 as of Monday, followed by the Philippines (46,333) and Singapore (44,983). On Sunday, Philippines posted a new single-day record of 2,434 cases.

Roque said that the increase in new infections was not surprising since there is no cure or vaccine yet for COVID-19.

“Wala naman pong dahilan para mabahala. Kinakailangan lang po talaga ipatupad ang mga siguradong armas natin laban sa COVID-19,” (There's nothing to worry about the situation. We just need to implement and make sure we are ready to fight Covid-19,) he said in a televised briefing.

Roque reminded again the public to wear face masks, observe hand hygiene and physical distancing as well as to stay healthy.

“Nasa kamay nyo na po ang mangyayari sa inyong kalusugan. Talaga pong yang mga boodle fight, yung mga pagtitipon, sure recipe po yan sa pagkakasakit at bagamat konti ang namamatay eh baka malasin kayo at masama kayo sa datos. Huwag naman po sana.” (Your health is in your own hands. Boodle fights and gatherings are sure sources of different illnesses. Even if we have a low death cases, if your unlucky, you might be included in the record. Hopefully not.) Roque said.

Roque still insist that the Philippines is winning the war against the virus which has already killed 1,303 people in the country.