Written by Julian Victor M. Mendoza
Published April 14, 2022
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) warned Holy Week participants about possible COVID-19 transmission during rituals and activities.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire asked the public to prevent kissing patron saint imageries to avoid virus transmission through saliva. Vergeire also discouraged the practice of penance such as flogging and crucifixions to avoid infections. She added that minimum public health standards such as social distancing must still be observed.
“Let us try to remember na ang transmission ng virus ay meron pa rin sa ating bansa. Pangalawa, nandyan na rin ang ating pagbabakasyon, sana po isipin gusto natin magenjoy but we want everybody safe,” Vergeire said.
(Let us try to remember that the transmission of the virus is still present in our country. Second, there are also our vacation trips. I hope we think that we also want to enjoy, but we want everybody safe.)
DOH will also monitor vaccination centers and hospitals that will continue operations during Holy Week. Special vaccination will be provided for areas that need "special help" in April, said Underhealth Secretary Myrna Cabotaje in a radio interview.
“Ang gagawin in April, titingnan na talaga kung sino mga areas ang kailangan ng espesyal na tulong para ‘yung mga kalapit rehiyon o kalapit na probinsiya ay makatulong sa mga siyudad na medyo mahina ang kanilang bakunahan,” the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) chairperson mentioned.
(What we will do in April is we will really look into which areas need special help so that the nearby regions or nearby provinces will be able to help the cities that are low in vaccination rates.)
Cabotaje added that the government is waiting for the guidelines from the amended emergency use authorization (EUA) of select vaccines that will serve as a fourth dose prioritized for the elderly and immunocompromised. "Hindi sapat 'yung two doses lalo na sa kanila," she said. "Humihina ang immunity, lalo na sa edad nila. Humihina ang proteksyon. Kailangang palakasin ito sa pamamagitan ng additional shot lalo na sa paglaban sa Omicron at darating pang variants of concern."
(The two doses are not enough, especially for them. Their immunities weaken, especially for their ages. The protection weakens. We need to strengthen it through additional shots, especially to fight the Omicron and other emerging variants of concern.)
Dr. Rajendra Yadav, acting representative of the Philippines to the World Health Organization (WHO), warned the country in a statement about a likely surge in COVID-19 cases. He cited unsafe gatherings and social mixings due to Ramadan, Holy Week and the elections as possible reasons for a surge in cases for the next two months.
He emphasized the importance of wearing masks and reassessing pandemic response strategies. "Therefore, WHO recommends focusing on the priority groups that remain unvaccinated and house-to-house vaccination for these groups," Yadav added.
The government plans to expand the availability of third doses to government agencies and private companies.
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