‘Christmask’ parties pushed amid surging COVID-19 cases

THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday urged the public to make it a “Christmask” holiday and wear face masks as they hold parties and get-togethers amid the rising number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and other respiratory illnesses.

Health Undersecretary Dr. Eric Tayag made the call as he bared that at least three hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) are already nearing full capacity in their allocated COVID-19 beds.

In a television interview, Tayag said the DOH agrees with health experts on the need to wear face masks as an added protection against COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

On Wednesday, Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) president Dr. Rontgene Solante and former DOH special adviser Dr. Anthony Leachon urged the public to wear masks amid the climbing numbers of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases.

“Although there remains no mask mandate, the DOH is recommending the wearing of face masks, especially among the senior citizens, pregnant women, immunocompromised, and unvaccinated,” said Tayag.

“There are no plans yet (for stricter safety protocols). But those having Christmas parties, better make them ‘Christmask’ parties so that we can avoid transmission of the virus,” he added.

Tayag said it would even be better if those with flu-like symptoms will skip such gatherings.

“If you have symptoms, don’t go to these public gatherings anymore and just isolate,” he said.

According to Tayag, they have already received reports that the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, the National Kidney Transplant Institute, and the Medical City are already nearing full COVID-19 bed capacity.

“They are nearly at full capacity with their respective COVID-19 allocated beds,” said Tayag.

However, he said the situation is different with the other hospitals in the rest of the country.

“On the overall, in the other regions, it is not the same situation as the three hospitals,” he said.