ADVERTISEMENT
IATF’s data team shares same view with UP profs on lifting ECQ soon, says Roque
By TED CORDERO,GMA NewsThe government’s team in charge of data analysis on the COVID-19 shares the same view as the team of University of the Philippines professors that lifting the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in several areas after May 15 will result in a spike in cases and deaths, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Saturday.
A study conducted by a team of UP faculty found that “premature” relaxation of the ECQ in Metro Manila could result in an escalation of 24,000 cases and 1,700 deaths by June 15, 2020.
“Kinumpara ko po naman. Ganiyan rin ang paningin ng mga technical working group na nagbibigay ng rekomendasyon sa IATF,” Roque said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
However, he said that not the whole Metro Manila will remain under ECQ by May 16
ADVERTISEMENT
This, however, still needs a final and official decision from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Ang sabi ko wala pang pinal na desisyon pero hindi po buong Metro Manila ay magiging GCQ (general community quarantine) at hindi po buong Metro Manila ay mananatili sa ECQ,” Roque said.
“‘Yan po ay ibabase natin sa siyensiya. Titignan ang dami ng kaso ng COVID sa isang siyudad, sa isang barangay at titignan natin ang kapasidad na magbigay ng critical care,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Council composed of the mayors of cities in NCR is about to make a formal recommendation for another 15-day extension of the ECQ in Metro Manila.
“Sa Lunes po magkakaroon ng approval ang ating Presidente kung anong mangyayari sa atin ng May 15,” Roque said.
The ECQ was first declared on March 17 covering the entire Luzon. It has been extended in several areas, including Metro Manila, twice and the last extension is supposed to end on May 15. —KG, GMA News