Galvez says if extended, enhanced community quarantine may be for additional 15 days

Secretary Carlito Galvez on Saturday said should the enhanced community quarantine being implemented as a measure to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 be extended, it may possibly only be for a maximum of 15 days.

"Pinag-aaralan pa natin (kung mae-extend). Premature po kung mag-a-announce tayo ngayon, pero i-involve natin ang mga scientists natin, and ating mga doktor, specialists na titingnan po ang mga reference model ng ibang bansa. Mahirap na mag-rush tayo sa normalcy tapos babalik sa lockdown. May mga countries, dalawa, tatlong lockdown sila kasi pag nare-relax, bumabalik ang surge ng new cases. Pag-aaralan natin na isang bagsak na lang na ma-extend natin ng 15 days para ma-sustain natin 'yung magandang nagawa ng lockdown," he said.

Galvez, chief implementer of the government's national policy against COVID-19, said the lockdown imposed on Luzon and other areas has led to a slower increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

"Maganda po ang nagawa ng lockdown. Na-slow down ng lockdown ang spread ng virus. With that, nakita namin na malaki ang possibility na magkakaroon ng lockdown ng 15 more days," he added.

"Paakyat pa po (ang bilang ng mga kaso ng COVID-19). Hindi pa po siya nagpa-plateau," Galvez said, adding that some areas in the country registered a big number of COVID-19 cases.

"Metro Manila lalo na sa Quezon City at areas ng Regions III and IV — itong mga regions na ito ang contamination ay mataas," he said.

Over 1,500 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Metro Manila.

The Department of Health on Friday said the number of COVID-19 cases reached 3,018 as more tests have been conducted.

The death toll reached 136 while 52 have recovered.

READ: COVID-19 Dashboard: Summary of Cases in the Philippines

 —KG, GMA News