NEW coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country may see an increase in the next five to seven days following the May 9 elections if recent reported mild cases continue, infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante yesterday said.
Solante, during the Laging Handa public briefing, pointed out that COVID-19 has a five to 14-day incubation period, and with the disregard of health protocols when voters cast their ballots last Monday, there is a “possibility” that there would be more cases soon.
“Kung titingnan natin iyong incubation period ng COVID, from the exposure to the first symptoms, usually an average of three to five days ‘no. So kung halimbawa, lahat ay mataas ang exposure noong May 9, magbilang tayo ng mga seven days or five to seven days, so magri-reflect iyan most likely next week (If you look at the incubation period of COVID, from the exposure to the first symptoms, usually it is an average of three to five days. So, if there was a high exposure last May 9, if we count seven days or five to seven days, it will be reflected, most likely next week),” Solante said.
He said they have received reports that some voters have already tested positive.
“Mayroon na tayong mga nakitaan ngayon na mga ibang pasyente na mayroong, mga mild symptoms lang naman, and they are positive (We have seen some patients that have mild symptoms, and they are positive),” he said but did not provide any figures.
The DOH report 1,124 new cases, including 14 severe and critical, during the period May 2 to 8. The number is 20 percent lower than the 1,399 active cases from April 25 to May 1.
Solante said they are hopeful that the cases would continue to remain low and the Omicron sub-variants BA.2.4 and BA.2.5, which are reportedly more infectious than the original Omicron variant and less responsive to vaccines, would not enter the country.
At the same time, Solante thumbed down the lifting of the use of face masks after some countries have already stopped its mandatory use.
Solante said the face masks have been effective in keeping COVID-19 cases down in the country.
He said it the easing on the use of face mask may be considered if COVID cases drop to below 200 per day.
