Although the implementation of strict quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and 4 neighboring provinces due to COVID-19 has had a positive effect, the public still needs to continue to take precautions against the spread of the disease, according to the Department of Health.
According to Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, who also serves as treatment czar, apart from the slight decrease in the number of sick people, the capacity of quarantine and isolation facilities as well as intensive care units in Metro Manila has also been increased.
“We just gained ground in terms of making sure that the capacity of the health system is there. And de-escalating this would mean it is really hard for us to preserve this ground. In other words we have to continue and maintain preserving the gains we have,” said Vega.
According to DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, officials weighed a lot before reaching a decision on the next steps.
This includes the recorded cases of the disease in the past week and the response of various local government units.
“May improvement naman, ‘yong 7-day moving average ay bumaba although it’s still not significant kasi nakikita pa rin natin na the number of cases in specific areas are still high,” said Vergeire.
As of Wednesday, the DOH recorded 6,895 additional COVID-19 cases for a total of 1,020,495, of which 67,769 were active cases.
The death toll also reached 17,031 after 115 additional deaths from the disease were recorded, according to the DOH.
DOH: Continue to be cautious vs COVID-19 even if new cases drop slightly
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday extended modified enhanced general quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal provinces, Malacañang said until May 14.
Duterte added that the following areas would be under general community quarantine.
- Apayao
- Baguio City
- Benget
- Ifugao
- Kalinga
- Mountain Province
- Cagayan
- Isabela
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Batangas
- Quezon
- Tacloban
- Iligan
- Davao City
- Lanao del Sur
Duterte added the rest of the country is under the loosest modified GCQ.
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