Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III clarified his earlier remark that the Philippines has “successfully flattened” the curve of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), saying that he made a mistake.
He said that what we meant by “flattening the curve” was that the Philippines has curbed the spread based on the longer doubling rate of COVID-19 cases and fatalities.
“Paumanhin po sa confusion na resulta ng aking earlier statement, nalito lang po ako sa tanong. Iyong longer case doubling time which is eight days, ibig sabihin po nito, nailiko na, nasimulan na nating nailiko o naikurba na natin ang epidemic curve nung [nagkaron ng] imposition ng ECQ noong March,” Duque said. “Hindi naman talaga flatten yun ang ibig sabihin kong ilinaw. Lumiko, hindi po flatten. Nagkamali ako doon at yun ang gusto kong linawin,”
READ ALSO: Duque says PH ‘successfully flattened’ COVID-19 curve since April
“Now, we are seeing an increase in cases dahil sa expanded testing and community transmission as we allow more movement of people, dahil nagluwag na po tayo ng restrictions,” the secretary added.
Earlier, Duque III said that the Philippines has “successfully flattened” the curve since April, following the rising number of cases in the recent days.
“We have successfully flattened the curve since April,” he said in a virtual press briefing.
Duque also noted that the government has enhanced its response against the pandemic, including wearing of face masks for citizens.
SEE ALSO: Duque retracts COVID-19 ‘second wave’ statement following mass criticisms
