Community transmission is one of the major factors for the increase of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections in Metro Manila apart from the increased testing capacity of laboratories nationwide, a health official said Wednesday.

In a virtual Covid-19 presser, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said community transmission started when the community restrictions eased up.

“Lalo napapa-igting ang community transmission kung lax o hindi naten sinusunod ang (Community transmission intensifies when we’re lax or not practicing) minimum public health standards,” she said.

Emphasizing that health protocols would keep the public healthy and safe against Covid-19, Vergeire advised the public to always wear masks, practice safe physical distancing, and observe home quarantine measures while waiting for Covid-19 swab test results.

“It may sound repetitive but we will not stop reminding everyone to wear masks, observe physical distancing, sanitize. This is DOH’s call to everybody, whether you be in the private or public sector,” she said.

As of Tuesday, the country already has total Covid-19 cases of 47,873. The recovered cases are now at 12,386 and the death toll at 1,309. (PNA)