Malacañang on Tuesday was elated over a report from the New York Times listing the Philippines as among countries where new Covid-19 cases were “lower and staying low.”
“We are pleased with the recent report of the New York Times, entitled ‘Coronavirus Map: Tracking the Global Outbreak,’ which includes the Philippines as among countries ‘where new cases are lower and staying low’ over the past week,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.
The New York Times used data from local governments, Johns Hopkins University, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China and the World Health Organization. It listed the Philippines as among nations with decreasing new cases, along with Russia, Austria, South Africa and 60 others.
(Screenshot from the NY Times article)
“These trends demonstrate that the decisions and actions made by the administration are working,” Roque said.
“Government, however, cannot do this alone. We are thus grateful for the dedication and sacrifices of our frontliners in the medical community, the support of the private sector, and the cooperation of the general public in following the minimum public health standards,” he added.
Roque however said Filipinos should not be “lulled into complacency.”
“The enemy that is Covid-19 is still in our midst, and unless a cure or vaccine has been made available, we must continue to remain vigilant and observe health protocols, such as wearing of masks/face shields, washing of hands and maintaining a physical distance,” he said.
UP-OCTA Research Team fellow Dr. Guido David on Sunday said that the country had flattened its curve of Covid-19 cases.
In an interview with DZBB, he explained that flattening the curve did not mean the eradication of the virus, but meant Covid-19 cases have started to decline. The country on Sept. 8 recorded 3,281 new infections, which brought the national total to 241,987. John Ezekiel J. Hirro