COVID-19 cases could reach 18K a day if masking indoors made optional — DOH

Shoppers stand apart as social distancing measures, amid concerns of the COVID-19 coronavirus, while queueing outside a supermarket in Manila on March 17, 2020.

AFP / Maria Tan, file

MANILA, Philippines — COVID-19 infections could go up to 18,000 a day by late 2022 if the government pushes through with making face masks optional even indoors, the Department of Health said Thursday.

Citing projections by scientists, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire told ABS CBN News Channel that daily COVID-19 cases may range from 2,500 to as high as 18,000 if masking rules are further loosened.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco earlier announced that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will issue an executive order allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks indoors.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/10/27/2219681/covid-19-cases-could-reach-18k-day-if-masking-indoors-made-optional-doh