The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is no longer a serious public threat and is already considered an ordinary viral infection that is treatable, a Negros Oriental health official said Wednesday.
Dr. Liland Estacion, Provincial Health Office (PHO) chief, gave the assurance amid media reports of mild Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong, Singapore, and other countries.
“In the Philippines, we do have Covid cases. In the province, there are positive cases, especially those we have confirmed through antigen testing. But for DOH (Department of Health), they are already considered non-reportable,” she said in mixed English and Cebuano.
Estacion said that because Covid-19 is no longer a “non-reportable” disease, the province could no longer give a complete or holistic report of cases, as many people undergo private antigen testing.
In the past, the PHO strictly monitored Covid-19 cases in local government units and hospitals.
“We treat Covid as a respiratory infection, and we no longer have guidelines on addressing cases,” Estacion said. (PNA)
