Malacañang on Wednesday said there is no reason to celebrate now, as it admitted that the country would not be able to beat the University of the Philippines’ (UP) prediction that coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections may breach 85,000 by July 31.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque acknowledged that this time, it would be difficult for the Philippines to beat UP’s forecast in July.
Researchers from UP initially projected in June that the country would likely hit 60,000 Covid-19 cases by the end of July, but later revised their projection to 85,000, considering the disease’s transmission rate and doubling time.
Confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country have climbed to 85,486, as of July 29.
Roque’s latest admission came as he reiterated that Covid-19 cases in the country continue to rise because of the improved testing capacity.
On Monday, UP researchers once again adjusted their projection, as they warned that the Philippines could record up to 90,000 cases by the end of July.
They also cautioned that the number of Covid-19 cases in the country could reach 140,000 by the end of August.
Despite his admission, Roque remained optimistic that the country can still beat UP’s predictions.