Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 9)— Despite the consecutive spikes in COVID-19 cases over the past few days, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday voiced hope that the country will soon see a drop in the number of virus infections due to the return of stricter modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby regions.
Speaking to CNN Philippines, Año said officials have formed teams that will monitor the implementation of lockdown measures at the local government level.
“Down to the barangay level, tinitingnan natin ‘yung pag-lockdown nila sa mga lugar. At ‘yung pag-eextract natin ng mga positives na nandito sa mga barangay at sa mga bahay, ilalagay sa COVID facilities,” Año said in an interview with Newsroom Weekend.
“So ine-expect kasi natin na itong period na ito, magsisimulang bababa ‘yung numero because of the MECQ dito sa NCR (National Capital Region),” he added.
[Translation: Down to the barangay level, we’re checking the lockdowns implemented. Those who test positive— and those who are on home quarantine will also be transferred to COVID facilities. So we expect that during this period, the numbers will start to decline because of the MECQ in NCR.]
The Interior chief noted the MECQ protocol will also help boost the country’s contact tracing program, as more residents who may be considered as close contacts will be easily located and isolated.
President Rodrigo Duterte had placed Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal back to MECQ from August 4 to 18— partly heeding the call of frontliners who have sought for the strictest ECQ in Mega Manila. The medical community said a stricter quarantine will help the healthcare system— and the workers themselves— take a breather and pave the way for the refinement of pandemic control strategies.
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Año, for his part, said the government will continue to implement the “Oplan Kalinga” program— and will help transfer patients to COVID-19 facilities to effectively control the spread of the viral disease.
The Interior chief stressed the COVID-19 task force has yet to come up with a recommendation for the new lockdown measure to be implemented after August 18, as authorities are still studying trends and data on the virus situation.
To date, COVID-19 cases in the country have reached over 126,000— with the Health Department reporting 4,226 new infections on Saturday.
