Doubling of new COVID-19 cases 'alarming' —Duque

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday expressed alarm over the recent doubling of daily COVID-19 cases during the holiday season.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Duque said the Department of Health will monitor if the doubling or high increase in new COVID-19 infections will continue to  be manifested in Friday's tally of cases.

“Kung sa pagiging alarma, talagang nakakaalarma ‘yan dahil walang kaduda-duda dahil dumoble nga tayo sa loob ng isang araw,” he said.

(If we are talking about being alarmed, it is indeed alarming because there is no doubt that the cases are doubled in a single day)

The DOH reported 889 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, which doubled to 1,623 on Thursday.

If the increasing trend continues, Duque said the compliance to minimum public health standards should be more strictly followed.

Earlier, the OCTA Research group said the National Capital Region's new COVID-19 cases could soar to more than 2,000 on New Year's Eve after its positivity rate reached 14%.

OCTA research fellow Dr. Guido David said Philippines' new infections might reach 2,500 on December 31. —LBG, GMA News