Rate of infection, healthcare capacity to determine whether some Metro Manila areas will shift to GCQ — Palace

The COVID-19 transmission rate and the capacity of the healthcare system will aid the government in deciding whether to ease restrictions in some areas in Metro Manila after May 15, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said some areas in Metro Manila may shift from enhanced community quarantine to general community quarantine owing to continued decline in new cases.

Majority of the COVID-19 cases were recorded in the capital region.

“Kung hindi po magbabago ang datos na nagpapakita ngayon na bumabagal na iyong pagkalat at mayroon pa tayong kapasidad na magbigay ng critical care ay siguro po iyan ang direksiyon,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

“Makikita natin na bagama’t marami pa ring mga bagong COVID cases, ang pagtaas naman po ay hindi masyadong matarik. At makikita na rin natin na iyong mga nagre-recover ay pataas na po ang numero, ang mga namamatay ay parang pareho lang po on a daily basis.”

Roque also reiterated his call for people to stay at home.

The Philippines has so far reported 10,343 COVID-19 cases, with 685 deaths and 1,618 recoveries. — RSJ, GMA News