Roque on COVID-19 curve flattening soon: ‘Sana nga’

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said he hoped the Philippines could record a downward trend of COVID-19 infections soon as projected by experts from the University of the Philippines (UP).

Professor Ranjit Rye of the UP-OCTA Research team revealed that the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines is on the downward trend and approaching a flattened curve towards September.

But he warned the people not to let their guard down to prevent a surge in new cases.

“Sana nga po mangyari iyon dahil ang inaantay lang natin pagdating ng katapusan ng buwan na ito eh kung mas mababa po iyong mare-record na kaso kung ikukumpara natin doon sa naging forecast ng UP study group,” Roque said in a televised briefing.

“We will reserve whether or not we will congratulate the Filipino people anew or better luck next time,” added the Palace official who drew flak in July because he declared “victory” after the number of cases did not reach the UP forecast of 40,000 by the end of June.

According to Rye, the modified enhanced community quarantine implemented in Metro Manila and nearby provinces from August 4 to 18 has been effective in slowing down the spread of the coronavirus.

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal shifted to a less stringent general community quarantine on August 19 despite the UP researchers’ call for a 15-day extension of MECQ.

The researchers said a 15-day MECQ extension would have allowed local government units to improve tracking, quarantine, and isolation procedures and the public and private sectors to ensure workplaces are safe.

The Philippines has so far reported 194,252 COVID-19 cases, including 3,010 deaths and 132,042 recoveries. —LDF, GMA News