Sec. Galvez confirms we are still under First Wave

MANILA, Philippines – National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. says the Philippines is still experiencing the first wave of the coronavirus surge.

“Sa amin pong pagtingin, nasa first wave pa rin po tayo (based on our observations, we are still under the first wave)” Secretary Galvez said in a May 22 interview with Undersecretary Martin Andanar to address the ‘Second Wave’ confusion.

He added that key government officials have been discussing preparations for the second wave. 

Galvez also said they are anticipating a spike in the number of cases in other areas of the country with the arrival of a large number of overseas filipino workers (OFWs).

“We are receiving more than 30,000, and they came from affected areas katulad ng U.S., Italy, Spain, and other parts of the Middle East” he said.

Galvez assured that a special task group is handling the repatriation and testing of these OFWs.

“Out of the 30,000 OFWs na natest natin, ay mayroon tayong nakuha na more or less 600 na positive, ” he added.

The second wave confusion started when Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced on Wednesday that the Philippines is already in the second wave of Covid-19. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque then clarified on Thursday that the country is still in the first wave.

The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed Secretary Roque’s statement and apologized to the public about the confusion.

The Philippines has a total number of 13,434 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 3000 recoveries, and 846 deaths as of May 21, 2020.