Zamboanga del Sur (CNN Philippines, August 23) — Officials in Zamboanga del Sur will ask the national Inter-Agency Task Force for a stricter quarantine classification as the province sees a rise in COVID-19 cases.
They decided on Sunday to request for the province, which is currently under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions, to be placed on modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
Governor Victor Yu said the local IATF and municipal mayors find stricter quarantine status effective in controlling the spread of the virus.
They lamented that symptomatic cases suddenly rose in the past few days, leading to overwhelmed hospitals.
Officials said COVID-19 cases in the province dropped from 900 to around 200 in June with the implementation of MECQ. The number, however, soared again after lighter restrictions were implemented with 93 fresh cases on Sunday totaling to 1,046 active cases.
Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center, the province’s main referral facility for coronavirus patients, is also swamped with coronavirus cases.
Yu said there are at least 28 patients getting treated in tents, while four others are in their cars waiting for hospital vacancy.
Dr. Anatalio Cagampang Jr., chief of the hospital, also divulged that 23 healthcare workers in ZDSMC contracted the virus.
Zamboanga del Sur-based correspondent Leah Agonoy contributed to this report.
