Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Sunday, May 7, that while the World Health Organization’s lifting of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern on COVID-19 was a positive development, vigilance against the virus should remain.
“This is a positive development but just the same COVID-19 can be treated as an endemic still present in our country. Vigilance is prudent. Use of face mask is beneficial,” he said.
An increase in COVID-19 cases has been reported in the country, and on Saturday Negros Occidental had 17 new ones for a total of 91 active cases.
Lacson said that is the “result of opening up”.
“For the unvaccinated, please consider getting vaccinated” against COVID-19, he said.
The DOH said on Saturday that the WHO declaration is “an acknowledgement of our effective and collaborative COVID-19 response and concerted efforts to fully recover and re-open our economy”.
The DOH will convene the members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases to discuss and reassess policies and other guidelines affected by the declaration, it said.
“The DOH guarantees the Filipino people that all factors in determining our next action in line with the WHO’s proclamation will be considered and discussed for the approval of the President,” it added.*