DOH apologizes for confusion on COVID-19 pandemic stages

The Department of Health (DOH) has apologized for the confusion regarding the stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, clarifying that the country is still in its first wave of local community transmission.

This clarification came after conflicting statements from Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other officials about whether the Philippines was experiencing a first or second wave.

DOH Director Beverly Ho explained that local transmission begins when individuals contract the virus without a history of travel or direct exposure to a confirmed case, and the country is currently experiencing this.

Ho noted that the peak of the current wave occurred at the end of March with 538 new cases, and the average daily cases have since declined to around 220.

Secretary Duque clarified his earlier statement, describing it as a 'casual expression of an epidemiologic fact' and acknowledging that the initial 'first wave' comprised only three imported cases in January.

Despite the confusion, officials like Ho urged the public to remain focused on collective efforts and adherence to minimum health standards to combat the pandemic.