THE Department of Health (DOH) on Friday, September 16, 2022, echoed the statement of the World Health Organization (WHO) that the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic is looking to be nearing its ending.In a press conference, DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said they agree with the pronouncements of WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that the end for the Covid-19 pandemic is getting closer.”We agree with Doc Tedros that, globally, based on statistics, coverage in immunization, it really looks like we are seeing the light at the end of this tunnel,” said Vergeire.”In the Philippines, personally and even the DOH feels that we are seeing that it appears to be ending,” she added.On Wednesday, Tedros gave his most optimistic assessment of the two-and-a-half-year-old health crisis, saying the end is already in sight for the Covid-19 pandemic.The WHO chief still stressed that the pandemic has yet to end and that public vigilance must remain.This was also echoed by Vergeire, saying the country must not let its guard down against Covid-19.”We must be prepared. Even though we know that the pandemic is ending, the virus is here to stay,” she said.”The virus is still here. Each person must learn to live with the virus,” added Vergeire.The health official said the country must maintain its testing and surveillance system, as well as the continued improvement of clinical management of cases.She said the country must also continue striving to meet its Covid-19 vaccination target while ensuring that infection control measures are institutionalized in healthcare facilities.Vergeire said there is a need for continuous risk communication activities while also combating fake news. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)