THE Department of Health (DOH) said that the lifting of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) status does not equate to the pandemic.
DOH Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said during the DOH media forum today that even though the PHEIC status was lifted, the World Health Organization (WHO) did not say that the pandemic is over.
She reiterated and advised the public that “even though the PHEIC status has been lifted, we cannot be complacent. We need to continue to be vigilant and should be aware of what to do to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
Also, Vergeire said the DOH already met with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) where they discussed various proposals and recommendations during the meeting.
Vergeire did not disclose what these proposals and recommendations are for they are still confidential and will be submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.