Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26) As the Philippines’ COVID-19 cases breach the one million mark, an expert said the local pandemic situation is not the worst when compared to other countries.
We are not the worst, Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, told CNN Philippines The Final Word.
Compared to the pandemic situation in India where there are around 17 million infections, Bravo believes the countrys experts tried to mitigate what we have, which may be reflected by the low fatality rate of the country at 1.67%.
Look at what is happening, it is still increasing they are running out of oxygen, the hospitals are overwhelmed. People are just dying even before they can reach the hospital. I dont think that is what is happening here in the Philippines, Bravo added.
Bravo also said they have observed a slow decrease in the number of infections in the past two to three weeks. She added that she would agree to extend the modified enhanced community quarantine beyond April 30 if it would further contribute to the decrease.
On vaccination, Bravo noted that there was still no recommendation to use different brands of vaccines for the first and second dose. But she added that supply and the local COVID-19 situation would be factors to consider on whether or not to allow vaccine mixing.
The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 1,006,428, with 74,623 currently ill patients.
A group of doctors appealed to the government to listen to healthcare workers’ request to extend the implementation of MECQ in the national capital region and nearby provinces amid the ongoing surge.
Metro Manila mayors meanwhile expressed opposing views on the issue as the lockdowns continue to take their toll on household income.
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce his decision within the week.
