The Philippines remains open to people coming from Singapore even after the country recorded an uptick in new 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) cases.
Department of Health (DOH) Sec. Ted Herbosa said on Wednesday, May 22, that he will not yet recommend imposing travel restrictions on people coming from Singapore.
Herbosa linked the rise in COVID-19 cases in Singapore to 'FLiRT' variants of the virus.
"Although, I’m watching the events unfold in Singapore because I think Singapore has reported an increase in FLiRT," Herbosa said during a press briefing in Malacanang.
"It’s a variant under monitoring; hindi siya variant of concern, variant under monitoring siya. And tumataas sila doon. They reported an increase in cases, and it’s filling up their hospitals. So we are watching ours," he added.
Herbosa also does not dismiss the possibility that the Philippines, which also observes an increase in infections, already has 'FLiRT' variants.
"Sa Philippines, we don’t have enough samples kasi we need a number of samples to do the genetic testing. So ang report sa akin ng Epidemiology Bureau, we don’t have enough samples that can be used for genetic testing," Herbosa explained.
"Kapag dumami iyong cases, then we will ask our Philippine Genome Center to again look at what variant is spreading," he added.
Amidst the threat of the 'FLiRT' variants and a slight increase in COVID-19 cases, Herbosa reminded the public to practice the minimum health standards and take vitamins to strengthen the immune system.
"My advice to the public is personal public, minimal public health precautions. So cough etiquette ‘di ba, avoiding crowded places, ventilation of rooms, the risk of getting it is going to be lower," Herbosa remarked.
Herbosa further assured that Singapore has yet to report any deaths related to the 'FLiRT' variants.
"So, apparently, mabilis siyang makahawa because of the outbreak in Singapore. So it’s contagious, but it’s not virulent; it doesn’t kill, kasi wala pa silang reported deaths," he stressed.
