Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said Sunday that cases of respiratory illnesses in the country are now plateauing, but advised vulnerable individuals to remain cautious while celebrating this holiday season.
“Luckily, kinakausap ko ang aming epidemiology unit, ang sabi humuhupa na raw, parang nag-plateau na ang number of cases. Siguro nagkanya-kanyang bakasyon na dahil wala nang pasok sa trabaho at eskwela, hindi na masyadong kumalat ang respiratory illness,” Herbosa said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.
(I’m talking to our epidemiology unit and they say that the cases are going down or have plateaued. Maybe because it’s vacation at work and school, the respiratory illness didn’t spread much.)
Despite this, the Health chief reminded the elderly and those with comorbidities to be careful when it comes to attending parties and holiday “salu-salo” because these are where respiratory illnesses usually get transmitted.
“Takpan mo ang mukha mo kapag umubo o suminga ka. Kapag may nararamdaman ka, ‘wag ka nang mag-party. Sa bahay ka na lang kasi mahahawa ‘yung ibang tao,” he added.
(Cover your face when you cough or sneeze. When you have symptoms, don’t go to parties anymore. Stay at home because other people will be infected.)
Herbosa earlier urged the public to get flu shots and wear face masks amid the rising cases of influenza-like illness because of the rainy season.
As of Friday, December 29, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 521 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total nationwide tally to 4,135,345 cases. —KG, GMA Integrated News
