HomeNewsPhilippine bishop calls for calm amid spike in COVID-19 cases

Philippine bishop calls for calm amid spike in COVID-19 cases

Aside from taking care of oneself against the virus, one should also pray for the safety and healing of everyone, said the prelate

“Let us be calm. Think of this: We have been through a huge problem — the coronavirus surge — and more people are already vaccinated.”

This was the call of Bishop Oscar Jaime Florencio, vice chairman of the health care ministry of the Catholic bishops’ conference.

The prelate reminded the faithful to immediately isolate themselves and follow basic health protocols if they feel some symptoms of the disease.

“Now, if you have fever, don’t panic. Take paracetamol and take a rest, eat and sleep well,” said the bishop in an interview over Radio Veritas 846.




He said that aside from taking care of oneself against the virus, one should also pray for the safety and healing of everyone.

President Rodrigo Duterte has earlier ordered local government officials to make sure unvaccinated persons don’t leave their homes except for essential activities.

“I’m now giving orders to the barangay captain to look for those persons who are not vaccinated and just would request them or order them, if you may, to stay put,” said the president in a media briefing.

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If an unvaccinated person refuses to heed the new rules, Duterte said local officials can “arrest” the person.

The president’s directive came after Metro Manila mayors decided to restrict unvaccinated persons from leaving their homes except to get food, go to work, or get urgent medical care.

Independent monitoring group OCTA Research warned that the national capital may record a high 12,000 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.

OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said the “steep increase” in new COVID-19 cases in the capital on Thursday broke the previous record of 9,030 that was reported on September 11, 2021.

“The single day positive rate increased to 46.3%, while the 7-day average increased to 38%, considered to be at critical level,” David said.

On the other hand, average daily attack rate increased to 34 per day, which David said is also considered critical.

Reproduction number — or the average number of new infections that stem from a positive case — in the capital was 5.69.

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