The Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) has reiterated the importance of wearing face shields as additional protection against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) transmission.

DOH regional director Exuperia Sabalberino said on Tuesday due to the spike of Covid-19 cases in the region, the wearing of face shields is still a must, both outside and in enclosed public spaces.

“In the region, we are still recommending the use of face shields because the positivity rate is still very high,” Sabalberino said in an interview.

As of Tuesday, the region has already recorded 27,313 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 2,769 active cases, 24,174 recoveries, and 370 deaths.

The health department said hospitals in Eastern Visayas are already at a critical level due to the surge of new cases in the past few days.

On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte decided to retain the mandatory face shield policy following health experts’ recommendation to “triple” precautions against the Delta coronavirus strain.

Last week, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Duterte has agreed that the public should only be required to wear a face shield when they go to hospitals.

The national inter-agency task force on emerging infectious diseases, however, appealed to keep the rule on the use of face shields in enclosed public spaces such as commercial establishments, malls, and public transportation. (PNA)