As Christmas approaches, public warned on use of videoke amid pandemic

Since they base their recommendation on science and evidence, the DOH, she said, will not be recommending videoke sessions for the meantime, unless it is done with family members who do not go out. (Pexels photo)

Videoke has always been part of every celebration, may it be a small or big occasion, but with the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) is warning the public against using this as the holiday season happening in a few weeks.

In the Laging Handa public briefing on Saturday, November 7, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire cited a study that showed how much viral load could be transmitted based on an individual’s actions such as talking, breathing, and coughing.

“Nakita dito sa pag-aaral na ito na kapag ikaw ay kumakanta, dito ang pinakamataas na load ng virus na pwede mong ma-i-transmit (It was seen in this study that you could transmit the highest viral load when you are singing),” Vergeire said.

Since they base their recommendation on science and evidence, the DOH, she said, will not be ‘recommending’ videoke sessions for the meantime, unless it is done with family members who do not go out.

“Pero ‘yun pong mga pang-malawakan, mga party po ng magkakaibigan, baka po dapat iwasan po muna natin ito (But if it is for large gatherings, for parties with friends, maybe they should avoid it for the meantime),” the official stressed.

The Health department on Saturday recorded 2,157 new infections, 24 new fatalities, and 252 recoveries. The DOH noted that 36,260 or 9.2 percent are active among the total Covid-19 cases in the country which already at 393,961.

Of the active cases, 83.7 percent are mild cases, 10.0 percent are asymptomatic, 4.0 percent are critical, and 2.3 percent are severe.