President Duterte thanks scientists, medical frontliners for aiding gov’t in COVID-19 fight
DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, May 12, thanked the
medical and scientific community, as well as frontliners for remarkably
fighting COVID-19 alongside his administration.
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| President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a meeting with key government officials prior to his "Talk to the People" at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on May 11, 2022. JOEY DALUMPINES/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO |
“The Philippines was able to manage the deadly coronavirus disease largely due to the combined efforts of the country’s doctors, scientists, and other frontliners,” President Duterte said in his weekly Talk to the People program.
“I likewise thank the Filipino people for continuing to cooperate with the health authorities and for following health protocols. Pasalamat sa lahat, lahat na who participated in the fight against COVID,” he added.
Despite the low coronavirus infection rate in the country, President Duterte cautioned the public not be complacent and continue observing the government’s minimum public health standards such as frequent handwashing, social distancing, and mask wearing.
“We still have to follow the minimum requirements to avoid recontamination kung natamaan ka na because there is --- it can infect you again and again,” he pointed out.
“Pero ‘yung requirement ng gobyerno sa mask sa tao nakatulong talaga ‘yan because it can really prevent itong ano, ‘yung surge. Nakatulong talaga itong masks basta you wear it properly,” he said.
The country has less than 4,000 active COVID-19 cases, the President reported.
Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama, who was also present in the meeting, said the Department of Health (DOH) is doing strict surveillance to monitor any possible entry of emerging coronavirus disease variants in the country and prevent a surge.
According to Dumama, the entire health department is prepared to address any uptick in cases of emerging COVID-19 variants.
He also appealed to Filipinos to get vaccinated and boosted to enhance the population’s immunity to the respiratory disease.
The DOH has recorded 109 new COVID-19 cases on May 11, bringing the country’s total number of infections to 3,687,428 with 3,623,661 recoveries, 60,439 deaths, and 3,328 active cases. PND
