Family gatherings, workplaces new sources of COVID-19 transmission in PH

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3) — Seemingly harmless family reunions amid mass gathering restrictions are one of the new sources of coronavirus transmission in the country, the lead implementer of COVID-19 task force revealed on Monday.

National Task Force Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez said data shows there have been clusters of confirmed COVID-19 cases in families. He cited a specific case in Nueva Ecija wherein a family held a reunion with relatives from Metro Manila, saying 60 people were "contaminated."

"Ngayon ang mga pasyente, hindi na isa sa pamilya. Ngayon pamipamilya na, meaning 'yung transmission ngayon ay (nanggagaling) sa family celebrations," he said in a media briefing.

[Translation: Before the patients were one per family. But now entire families are getting infected, meaning the transmission of the virus is being passed around in family celebrations.]

Both Galvez and Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire also confirmed that spikes in cases have been recorded in offices. The National Task Force is set to meet with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to improve the enforcement of minimum health standards in workplaces as Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, and Laguna revert to stricter enhanced community quarantine.

Vergeire added they have seen 887 clusters of COVID-19 cases in the country, majority of which were in communities. DOH has recorded 63 clusters in workplaces, accomodations, and the likes.

The country’s COVID-19 tally went past 103,000 on Sunday, with a record-high increase in cases at 5,032 more recorded.