“The arrival of the vaccine does not mean the departure of the virus.”
This according to Quezon City 5th District Councilor Karl Castelo, as he lamented over the weekend the recent surge of Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila, including Quezon City.
For three days in a row, the Philippines registered more than 3,000 new infections. The last time the country logged in more cases in a single day was in October of last year. Almost half of these new infections are from Metro Manila, the highest incidence of which is in Quezon City.
The average new cases per day in the national capital region in the past week stood at 1,025. This is 42% higher than from the previous week. Compared to two weeks ago, the average number of new infections increased by 130%.
“Looking at all the numbers released by the Department of Health, and based on the pronouncements of experts, there seems to be a real surge. There could be a variety of reasons why this recent surge is happening, but our obligation as a people remains the same: we must follow all health protocols, without exception, without evasion,” said Castelo.
“Sure, the vaccines have started to arrive, but delayed as they already are, the volume is just not enough to immediately inoculate a majority of society, so the danger is still very much out there. It is not as if the virus automatically goes away because the vaccines have begun to come” warned Castelo.
“Hindi pa po tapos ang laban kontra Covid. Tuloy pa rin po ang salot na dulot ng sakuna na ito.”
“Hindi pa po tapos ang laban kontra Covid. Tuloy pa rin po ang salot na dulot ng sakuna na ito. Dapat po ay sumunod pa rin tayo sa lahat ng health protocols. Siguraduhin po natin na ligtas ang ating sarili, ang ating pamilya, at ang ating komunidad,” added Castelo.
“Dapat po ay sumunod pa rin tayo sa lahat ng health protocols. Siguraduhin po natin na ligtas ang ating sarili, ang ating pamilya, at ang ating komunidad.”
“Go out only for essential activities. Huwag muna gala mode. Wear a face mask and a face shield properly. Hindi nakataas o nakababa na nakalabas ang bibig, ilong at mata. Wash your hands regularly. Pwede rin alcohol o alcogel. Physical distancing. Huwag siksikan nang siksikan. These are all for our personal protection as well as that of our family and community,” reminded Castelo.
Recently, almost ten Quezon City hospitals have already received their allocations of the vaccine. Injected with jabs were the healthcare workers and medical personnel of the said hospitals.