DOH: “Mag-mask po tayo kapag maraming tao sa isang lugar para tayo ay protektado pa rin”
DOH – As the Catholic faithful observe Holy Week this year, the Department of Health urged Filipinos to mask up in crowded places.
In a press briefing, DOH Officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that many Filipinos chose to go to church to attend the Mass. She then urged the public to mask up when the place is crowded.
“Marami po sa ating kababayan they chose to go to Mass. So, marami hong tao sa mga simbahan… Mag-mask po tayo kapag maraming tao sa isang lugar para tayo ay protektado pa rin,” Vergeire said.
The DOH OIC also asked the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to also have booster doses.
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Vergeire’s reminder came as the Philippines loosened its mask-wearing mandate last 2022 following a decrease in coronavirus infection levels.
According to a report on ABS-CBN News, the Department of Health recorded a 29% increase in coronavirus cases in the past week, in which the Philippines logged an average daily COVID-19 case of 268.
However, Vergeire noted that the uptick in coronavirus cases in the Philippines wasn’t a cause for concern. The DOH OIC also said that hospital admissions in the country were still manageable.
Holy Week is the most sacred week on the Christian liturgical calendar. It falls from April 2, 2023 (Palm Sunday) to April 9, 2023 (Easter Sunday).
In the same press conference, the Department of Health discouraged the public against crucifixion and self-flagellation, which some Catholics include in their penance on Good Friday. According to Vergeire, such traditions could lead to tetanus and other infections.
As to kissing images of saints, Vergeire reminded the public to be cautious as there are no restrictions for such.
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