MANILA, Philippines — The Healthcare Professionals Alliance against COVID-19 on Thursday issued a warning of a supposed fourth wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The group said that the global trend in COVID cases is on the rise again, with countries already bracing for the fourth wave.
“It’s just a matter of time before this is felt in the Philippines,” the group warned.
“We may be seeing the case trends decline in the past few weeks. Although 3,000 cases per day may be low relative to the previous weeks, this level is still high enough to fuel a surge. Even as our economy reopens, this period of relative calm should be used to prepare for the next surge,” it further said.
The group proposes what it calls safety measures to reopen the economy safely.
- Address the airborne nature of the virus. This has serious implications across transportation, workplace, and business settings. APAT DAPAT (Air Circulation, Physical Distance, Always Wear Mask and Shield, Time) remains to be a viable strategy but greater focus must be placed on ensuring good air quality.
Reopening without investing in architectural and engineering controls to improve ventilation means forcing the public to return to the same unsafe conditions that can encourage virus spread.
- Ensure that systemic interventions are working at the local level. There should be coordination structures between communities and hospitals to ensure patients get the care they need.
Interoperable data management systems should be able to guide timely decision-making. Evidence-based standards should guide public health measures like quarantine & isolation, border control, and testing.
“Let us not be lulled into complacency. We have not reached herd immunity yet. Our slow vaccination rates mean that someone’s father, mother, brother, sister, or child is not yet protected from severe illness or death,” the group said.
The health experts further emphasized that vaccine hesitancy can cost lives.
“Let us continue to reach out to our constituents, employees, and families to ensure that they have access to the right information, and the platforms required to schedule and receive their doses,” it said.
The group also stressed that while they support the reopening of the economy, the number of countries now anticipating the fourth surge must not be taken lightly. —/mbmf
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