Only WHO can declare COVID-19 as endemic, say
IT is only the World Health Organization (WHO), in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH), that can declare if COVID-19 has ceased to be a pandemic in the Philippines but remains an endemic.
This was affirmed by Dr. Rosario Pamintuan, a representative of the DOH regional office, when she spoke during the Question Hour of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on March 14.
“I hope we will soon be into that period, to be in endemic situation,” said Pamintuan who represented DOH Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco.
She said there are criteria to be met before WHO can change the status of COVID-19 as endemic in the Philippines,” said Pamintuan, adding that the DOH will provide the data needed by WHO as the world health governing body.
Dr. Anna de Guzman, provincial heath officer, earlier told the SP that endemic means that the Filipino people will have to live with the COVID-19 disease just like they do today with the seasonal flu.
“We are looking about the end of the year when WHO may finally place the Philippines as end endemic to COVID-19,” said Dr. de Guzman.
However, Fourth District Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, chairman on the committee on health of the SP, commented that the Philippines is practically treating COVID-19 as endemic because all restrictions have already been lifted after Pangasinan and other parts of the country had been placed under Alert Level 1.
All people, including the two year-olds who are not even vaccinated, are now allowed even in enclosed places like malls under Alert Level 1, Rosario observed. (Leonardo Micua)
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