MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) has asserted that there is no need to implement lockdowns in Metro Manila despite concerns over mpox cases in the Philippines.

In a TV interview, Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo stated that while the National Capital Region has logged the most number of mpox cases, the overall number of new cases in Metro Manila and nationwide is actually declining monthly.

“We are not monitoring any specific province. If you ask me where most cases are, it’s in Metro Manila. Do we need to be alarmed? Do we need ECQ, GCQ? No,” Domingo said, referring to the community quarantines implemented during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Because Metro Manila is the biggest region in the Philippines, there are ten million of us here. Naturally, no matter what illness we ask about, we will see more cases. But that does not mean there is transmission. It means we know where they are, they are isolated, or perhaps they have already recovered,” he clarified.

Domingo further explained, “That’s why I always say, especially to our friends in the media, we are not monitoring the total. Because the total, like a score, just keeps going up. What we are looking at is the number of new cases per month. And from what we see, it’s still going down, even in Metro Manila it’s going down.”

He also cautioned the public against the spread of fake information online, which he believes contributes to undue public alarm. “It’s not new, it’s not a lab leak, it’s not a vaccine side effect. When were we last vaccinated? It’s been one or two years. All those rumors are not true,” he stated.

“We in the DOH are more concerned not by the mpox virus, but by the fake news virus. It spreads so quickly, especially when pictures of mpox patients are seen,” Domingo added, noting that many of the pictures circulating online are from other countries. “They just want content and clickbait. So don’t just click and click. Let’s stop the fake news virus because that’s what’s harming us.”

The DOH had already denied reports of mpox-related lockdowns on Saturday, citing them as false information in a Facebook post. The department reiterated that mpox is not airborne, making lockdowns unnecessary. While face masks are ineffective against mpox, the DOH advises avoiding kissing and hugging to prevent infection.