DOH: Face mask, face shield won’t protect a person from COVID-19 in a crowded place

Wearing a face mask and face shield will not be enough to protect a person from COVID-19 in a crowded place, the Department of Health said Monday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire issued the reminder in response to crowding of people in Divisoria, Manila and in Baclaran in Pasay City in light of people doing Christmas shopping.

“Nakita po namin iyong mga litrato noong weekend, kung gaano kasikip. Gusto nating ipaalala sa ating mga kabababayan, nariyan pa rin ang [COVID-19] virus. Ang virus, naihahawa kapag naroon ka sa lugar na talagang siksikan,” Vergeire said in an online briefing.

“Kahit po kayo ay naka mask at naka-face shield pero kayo naman ay pumupunta sa matataong lugar na halos dikit-dikit na po kayo, maaari pa rin kayong mahawa,” Vergeire added.

Vergeire said the Inter Agency Task Force, which is the policy-making body of the government on COVID-19 response, is not allowing mass gathering precisely because of the huge risk of community transmission in such a setting.

“The risk is there. Kaya iwasan po ang pagpunta sa matataong lugar kung maaari po,” Vergeire said.

“Ang risk ng pagkahawa hawa ay napakalaki kapag tayo ay nakakapunta sa mga lugar na maraming tao katulad noong nangyari noong weekend,” Vergeire added.

The Philippines has recorded 418,818 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number, 386,486 recovered while 8,123 died.

These make the number of active COVID-19 cases at 24,209. — RSJ, GMA News