COVID-19 cases to surge as December approaches, says researcher

According to a member of the OCTA Research Group, it is very likely that COVID-19 cases in the country will surge as the holiday season is nearing.

There is a huge possibility that cases will rise because people might go out more now that December is only a month away, said Guido David of OCTA.

“Aware din naman tayo na pagdating ng holiday season, mayroon na ring fatigue ‘yong mga tao gusto na ring lumabas, puwedeng magkaroon ng uptick,” David told Teleradyo.

“Ang importante diyan kailangan ang response natin mabilis,” he added.

David wants Metro Manila to remain under a general community quarantine (GCQ) until December to prevent further spreading of COVID-19.

“Gusto natin may kaunting balance para macontrol ang crowding sa malls and public places,” he said.

He shared that daily COVID-19 cases fluctuate around a thousand a day, which is actually a major improvement from past months.

On Wednesday, only 987 new cases were logged in, the lowest number of cases recorded in a single day since July 14.

Out of the 388,000 recorded coronavirus cases in the country, 31,679 are considered active.

Back in August, the Palace was optimistic that the deadly disease will not deprive Filipinos of celebrating the day of Christmas.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque shared that aside from Russia, vaccines were also being developed by China and the US.

“Pwede po dahil ang alam ko po ‘yung sa Tsina, sa Oxford at sa Amerika nasa 3rd Phase na po sila ng clinical trial,”

President Rodrigo Duterte was also confident in Russia’s Sputnik-V vaccine, which he said will be ready by December, when “the Philippines will be free of COVID-19 and will be able to enjoy a peaceful Christmas.”

But the vaccine will not be ready until April of next year since only then would the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approve its distribution tot the public.

Russia’s vaccine is currently in Phase 3 of its clinical trials which will be conducted until March 2021.

Tens of thousands of Filipinos are required to take it so the extent of its safety and efficiency can be determined.