Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 21) — The Department of Health said Metro Manila may still record about 269,000 active cases by end-September even if the government extends the implementation of the more relaxed modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
“Kung mag-start ng MECQ ngayong araw hanggang end-September, we will have 66,000 cases by August 31 and 269,000 active cases by September 30 here in NCR. Projections lang ito,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual briefing.
[Translation: If MECQ starts today until end-September, we will have 66,000 cases by August 31 and 269,000 active cases by September 30 here in NCR. These are just projections.]
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday approved the recommendation of the pandemic task force to place the National Capital Region under MECQ starting today until August 31.
The health official, however, stressed that the numbers are just projections, as the Philippines could still record lower figures if measures against the coronavirus would be strengthened.
The areas that need further improvement are vaccination drive, case detection to isolation, and public compliance with minimum health standards, according to Vergeire.
“If we can further improve, then we will not reach these numbers,” she said.
The figures presented on Saturday were higher than the initial projections provided on August 7, which stated that active cases may reach 15,000 to 58,000 by end-September.
Data from the DOH showed Metro Manila has 35,420 active cases as of August 20.
Health officials have been reiterating that hard lockdowns will not stomp out the spread of the virus, especially now that the country is also dealing with the highly contagious Delta variant.
Imposing strict quarantine status was only meant to delay the uncontrollable surge and boost the health care capacity, Vergeire earlier said.
