President Rodrigo Duterte reveals that he is scared and worried over a possible surge caused by the Omicron variant which is wreaking havoc in many parts of the globe.
Duterte said that another surge would mean more money will be needed as part of the COVID-19 response.
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Health Secretary Francisco Duque said that the Omicron variant is feared to be more transmissible than both the Alpha and the Delta variants that caused surges from March to April 2021 and August to September 2021.
“Pinag-ano namin, ni-walis nga kung ano pang matira, ubusin na lang and we might get more funds ‘pag patong ng — sabi ni Bingbong Medialdea— ‘pag patong ng 2022, we operate on the new budget,” the Chief Executive said.
“Ang problema lang, far and between the days that are coming our way, celebration and all, baka nga makalusot talaga ‘yang Omicron earlier than expected. It would require a huge expenditure again, to meet the challenges of the new variant,” he added.
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Duque adds that it remains to be seen if Omicron is more virulent than Delta but more data will be needed.
“Ang transmissibility mas mabilis po ito but no established reproduction number has been assigned to it, so they’re still awaiting for more data. And then in terms of virulence, hindi pa rin po conclusive ang data, Mr. President. Sinasabi nila hindi naman daw ito kasing-bangis, it’s not as virulent than as serious as Delta,” he explained. (TDT)
