Na-flatten na ba curve? Pangilinan doubts Duque’s claim of 2nd wave of COVID-19 cases

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan questioned Wednesday (May 20) the claim of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III that the country is already experiencing its second wave of COVID-19 infections.

At the Senate Committee of the Whole’s hearing on the pandemic, Pangilinan asked Duque how he can say that the second wave of COVID-19 infections has started when there was no confirmation that the curve of the first wave has been flattened.

“Flattening the curve” refers to measures that keep COVID-19 cases at a manageable level so as not to overwhelm the healthcare system.

“Can you please explain to us how can we say that we already flattened the curve when we have not tested enough? Until we test enough, isolate enough, and treat enough, this virus will continue to spread…Ano ‘yung ibig sabihin nung ‘we have flattened the curve and we are now experiencing a second wave?’” Pangilinan asked.

The senator pointed out that Duque himself admitted Tuesday (May 19) that less than 0.2 percent of the population have been tested for COVID-19, which means the government has yet to get a comprehensive picture of the extent of infection nationwide.

Duque said in response that the first wave started in January following the three Chinese tourists who tested positive for COVID-19. The DOH earlier claimed that the Philippines has already begun “flattening the curve” citing the low rate positive cases tested.

Pangilinan, however, said Duque’s questionable statements in recent weeks about COVID-19 cast doubt on his pronouncement of a second wave.

“Pasensya na po Secretary Duque dahil in the last two months you have made some public statements that are medyo kaduda-duda. Halimbawa, nung February, sabi niyo modelo ng COVID campaign, model country ang Pilipinas. Sabi nyo po ‘yon. Nung March 20 naman, ang bitiw naman na salita ng DOH, hindi daw kailangan ng mass testing o hindi pa kailangan ang mass testing. April 4, sabi po ni Secretary Duque, pinakamababa ang COVID rates sa Pilipinas at ito ay patunay na tama ang estratehiya ngunit kahapon, nasaan tayo?” he said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)