IATF agreed to 'escalate' quarantine protocols in some areas, says Galvez

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases has agreed to put some areas under stricter community quarantine protocols due to the increasing COVID-19 cases.

According to National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 chief implementer Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., this is due to the observed spike in new cases as well as in severe and critical cases in those areas.

“Nagkaroon po ng pulong ang ating IATF ng dalawang sunod na araw noong Thursday at Friday, at napagkasunduan po doon na may mga area po na magi-escalate [ang protocols],” he  said in a public briefing on Monday.

“Nakikita po natin na tumataas ang kaso ng ating mga severe at critical cases at the same time ‘yung mga new cases tumataas din,” Galvez added.

He also said the IATF had a meeting with Metro Manila mayors, who are suggesting a "hybrid" community quarantine classification, with a stricter social measures but more relaxed restriction on businesses.

Galvez added that they are still negotiating some appeals from concerned mayors.

He noted that the final decision will be discussed on their meeting on Tuesday to recommend quarantine classifications to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The President is set to announce the new quarantine adjustments on Wednesday.

As of Sunday, July 12, 2020, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country was at 56,259 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 2,124 more infections.

The total number includes 1,534 deaths and 16,046 recoveries. —KBK, GMA News