Palace declares no second wave
The Palace, on Thursday, maintained that the country is not yet in the second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections.
In his May 21 media briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr. stressed that the Philippines is still in its first wave of local transmissions.
“Nagsimula po ang first wave natin ng dumating yung tatlong Tsino na mayroon na pong kaso ng COVID-19. Pero hindi po community acquired yan. Ganunpaman, dyan po nagsimula ang first wave,” said Secretary Roque.
The Palace official said that the first wave is still ongoing, which peaked around March when the highest number of reported cases in the country was recorded. He further explained that a second wave means an increase in the number of incidence of community acquired transmission over a period of time.
“Kung titingnan natin ang depinisyon ng kurbada, yung wave na tinatawag, it is the number of cases over a period of time of community acquired cases. Eh dapat po siguro simula lamang yung tatlong kaso ng mga Tsino,” said Secretary Roque.
Meanwhile, on the question whether we are on the first or second wave of infections, the Palace Spokesperson has likened the difference in interpreting the wave of COVID-19 infection to the way lawyers interpret the law differently. He said medical professionals may also interpret the same set of data differently.
The President’s spokesman also underscored the Chief Executive’s message that we have to do all the necessary measures to avoid a second wave of COVID-19.
“(N)agsalita po ang Presidente at pinaninindigan po natin ang sinabi ng Presidente, kinakailangan gumawa pa rin tayo ng mga hakbang upang maiwasan ang second wave,” stressed Sec. Roque
Roque added that what is important now is that these ‘waves’ are read or interpreted properly so that the government can make the appropriate response.
“Whether be it a wavelet or a first wave, ang katunayan naman po, ang importante maiwasan natin ang second wave na mas maraming kasong magkakasakit,” said Roque.
On news reports on the issue of mass testing, in which the Spokesperson said his statement was taken out of context, the media outlet in question published another post where they amended the said report in question.
In the Spokesperson’s May 19 media briefing, Secretary Roque called out a certain media outlet for allegedly misquoting him on the issue of mass testing in the country. (OPS-PCOO)
