Robredo offers suggestions to cope with COVID surge

Vice President Leni Robredo gave suggestions to make the August 6-20 Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila the last lockdown for the metropolis.

Robredo said government must increase daily COVID testing from the current 50,000 to at least 120,000 so areas can be identified that truly need attention.

The vice president added that government must administer 750,000 vaccine doses a day so the country can reach herd immunity faster.

Department of Health data presented to the House health committee show that daily vaccinations have not reached the 700,000-mark and are only averaging at 529,911 doses a day.

Robredo also suggested that government quickly hand out aid to those who would be affected by the lockdown and give support to small businesses.

Robredo also urged government to create a centralized database of all contact tracing apps. The Department of Information and Communications Technology told the House health panel that they have accomplished this.

Robredo said there is a need to be “hospital-ready,” in anticipation of a surge in COVID-19 cases, which may lead to people dying without getting treatment.

“Tulungan na ang mga ospital na mag-hire na ng mga medical personnel. ‘Yong access sa gamot at oxygen, tiyakin, at bantayan ang nagsasamantala sa presyo,” she said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said they are preparing additional healthcare equipment, erecting new modular hospitals, adding telemedicine services, preparing transportation for healthcare workers and readying stockpiles of healthcare equipment.

Robredo said they will help in any capacity, as they have done since the beginning of the pandemic through initiatives like free teleconsultation services and partnering with local government units for vaccination drives.