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Editorial: Risk of a second wave Posted: 19 Mar 2021 05:11 AM PDT JUST as we have started to get back on our feet, we are now seeing a sudden surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the country. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) show that Covid-19 cases have been increasing since the middle of February. The Philippines recorded a total of 5,449 new cases on March 12, 2021. This is the highest number of new cases recorded on a single day since the pandemic began. The spike in cases in the country was pulled up by the high number of new cases being recorded in the National Capital Region (NCR), Calabarzon, Central Visayas, and Central Luzon. Data shows that NCR recorded 25,617 new cases in the last 14 days based on the date of the onset of illness. Calabarzon recorded 7,094, Central Visayas with 4,772, and Central Luzon with 3,861. At present, the rise in Covid-19 cases has been attributed to possibly the more infectious variants of the Sars-CoV-2, diminishing compliance of some individuals with the minimum health standards, and the movement of more people. Closer to home, data shows that Davao Region can take a bit of a breather as it is currently experiencing a downtrend in terms of new and active Covid-19 cases. It can be recalled that around the last quarter of 2020 and during the early parts of 2021, Davao Region was recording over a hundred new cases daily with over a thousand active cases. It is just recently that the region recorded new cases below a hundred and active cases below one thousand. Davao City has also been considered as a 'minimal risk' local government unit (LGU) due to the decrease in cases. We can attribute this to improved test, trace, and treat capabilities in the region. People observing the minimum health standards could also be attributed to the improved situation in Davao Region and Davao City. However, there is no room for us to be complacent. As some areas in the country experience what could be a second wave, Davao Region could also experience the same if the people become complacent. As we have reiterated time and again, if we want to lower the risk of transmission in our community, we have to do our part by following minimum health standards -- wear your facemask, observe social distancing, wash your hands with soap and water, avoid gathering in large groups, and observe coughing or sneezing etiquettes. The moment we become too complacent, we run the risk of going into enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) again. We all know by now that when we go into ECQ, it will be detrimental to the local economy and to the people. Hence, let us not forget to follow the minimum health standards. It is through this simple action that we are able to protect ourselves, our loved ones, our community, and our local economy. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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