In today’s virtual presser, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 40,397 recoveries following the implementation of the time-based recovery strategy of OPLAN RECOVERY, bringing the national total to 112,586.

 

The time-based and symptom-based recovery strategies are part of the DOH’s OPLAN RECOVERY, which is an initiative that the DOH activated to monitor the status of confirmed COVID-19 deaths and recoveries. It tags a patient as recovered when certain conditions are met even without repeat RT-PCR testing and is recommended by the Philippine College of Physicians, and the Philippine Society of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

 

“Ang mga recoveries ay kritikal na sukatan upang ating masuri at mabalanse kung maayos ba ang mga interventions na ating ginagawa.” Health Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire said. She also emphasized on the importance of monitoring the number of recoveries in the country.

 

OPLAN RECOVERY is characterized by enhanced data collection, validation, and reconciliation efforts between the DOH Central and Regional Offices, and the Local Government Units. Since its implementation, OPLAN RECOVERY has reported 4,000 time-based recoveries as of July 13 and over 37,000 time-based recoveries on July 30. The DOH also announced that starting today, time-based recoveries will be published every Sunday.

 

During the presser, the Health Undersecretary discussed the process of tagging time-based recoveries for mild and asymptomatic confirmed cases, noting how it does not apply to severe and critical cases, nor to immunocompromised patients. Moreover, she reminded the public that due to the large scale community transmission being experienced in the country, it is important to immediately self-isolate even before getting tested when experiencing flu like symptoms.

 

Undersecretary Singh-Vergeire also highlighted the importance of healthy coping mechanisms while in isolation, and emphasized that there is no need to get tested after observing the 14 day isolation period and after clinical assessment by a physician.

 

Dr. Vergeire also reminded the public to remain vigilant and regularly follow the minimum health standards. The BIDA Solusyon campaign was launched by the Department to increase awareness on the minimum public health standards. BIDA stands for B– bawal walang mask; I–   I-sanitize ang mga kamay, iwas hawak sa mga bagay; D– dumistansya ng isang metro; at A– alamin ang totoong impormasyon.

 

“Sa mga simple ngunit epektibong mga aksyon na kayang gawin ninuman, matutulungan natin ang ating mga healthcare workers na araw-araw nakikibaka sa COVID-19.” Singh-Vergerie stressed.