Health Secretary Francisco Duque III is appealing to the public not to let their guard down amid the continuous decline in the country’s coronavirus cases.

Duque said that the Department of Health (DOH) has started to observe a downward trend in the number of new COVID-19 cases, but the threat remains like what happened to Europe now dealing on its second outbreak.

“This downward trend is certainly a welcome development. But cases may again rise if we are not careful. We hope that we won’t suffer the same fate as Europe,” Duque said.

The DOH reported 1,347 additional infections, raising the country’s overall number of COVID-19 cases to 399,749 and is expected to breach the 400,000 mark. The country is among the highest confirmed coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia.

Cavite recorded the most number of new infections, 92, followed by Manila (77), Quezon City (58), Baguio City (55) and Laguna (52).

Duque said that the decline in new cases is due to the government’s continued efforts. He also lauded the barangays’ responses, as well as the public’s compliance with the minimum health standards.

“Let us not waste this triumph. Let us not be complacent. Let us not let our guard down,” he said.