Extension of COVID-19 state of calamity will depend on DOH reco, Palace says

The decision on whether to extend the state of calamity due to the COVID-19 pandemic will depend on the recommendation of the Department of Health, the Palace said on Thursday.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles was asked if President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will extend the state of calamity, which will already end on September 12, 2022.

"It will depend on the recommendation of the DOH. But we will make the announcement when the time comes," Cruz-Angeles said.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte extended the COVID-19 state of calamity in the country due to the continued rise in the number of infections and the threat of coronavirus variants.

On Wednesday, the DOH recorded 3,181 new COVID-19 infections, increasing the nationwide tally to 3,813,952.

The DOH said the active case tally dropped to 36,035 from 36,666 on Tuesday.

In the recent two weeks, the National Capital Region reported 15,804 cases, followed by Calabarzon with 10,049; Central Luzon with 5,102; Western Visayas with 2,760; and Central Visayas with 2,147. — RSJ, GMA News