(SunStar) AN INFECTIOUS disease expert said on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, that the Philippines is already exiting from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a Laging Handa public briefing, infectious disease specialist and government pandemic response consultant Dr. Rontgene Solante said this is indicated in the continuous decrease in Covid-19 cases and the country’s ability to deal with severe and critical infections.

“Yes, I think we are on that process now, our mindset, hopefully, we can be exiting this pandemic, we can exit with this pandemic. Napaka-importante ng pagbaba ng kaso (The decline in cases is very important) because this is an important indicator na once we had na lower na ‘yung cases natin, we can deal with the virus, we know how to deal with it,” he said.

“And I think isa sa mga punto natin we also have available anti-viral agents that are appropriate against this infection we have oral and IV antivirals, our health care facilities are already equipped on how to deal with severe Covid, so for me, we are better of prepared now compared to two or one year ago,” he added.

Solante also maintained the importance of vaccination against Covid-19, especially the booster, in order for the country to be free from the pandemic and shift to endemic or learning to live normally along with the virus.

The country has shifted to low risk classification following a surge brought about by the Omicron variant in January.