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One-week ECQ extension in NCR Plus enough? DOH can't say yet


The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday could not say yet if the one-week extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and four adjacent provinces will be enough to address the COVID-19 surge in the country.

Interviewed on Unang Hirit, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the situation will be assessed on a week-to-week basis.

"Linggu-linggo natin i-assess ang sitwasyon para makita natin kung ano ang next natin na classification base sa sitwasyon [We will assess the situation every week to determine our next classification]," Vergeire said.

The ECQ in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Cavite -- collectively known as NCR Plus -- was originally from March 29 to April 4 only, but it was extended to last until April 11.

The DOH and the OCTA Research had separately recommended a one-week extension of the ECQ, the most restrictive among the quarantine protocols.

ECQ was reimposed over NCR Plus area following the spike in the number of new COVID-19 cases.

Vergeire, during the interview, said in Metro Manila alone, the number of new COVID-19 cases is averaging more than 6,695 daily.

"We can see that the average number of cases per day has been increasing for these past weeks," she said, adding the positivity rate has been increasing as well.

She said the hike in positivity rate could be due to two things: faster transmission of the virus and low testing capability.

Vergeire admitted that the surge in cases has resulted in overcrowded hospitals, particularly ICUs.

She said the DOH is looking for "appropriate facilities" where mild and asymptomatic patients could be admitted in an effort to decongest hospitals.

The DOH is also coordinating with local government units to determine if a patient needs to be in a hospital, a quarantine facility or in home isolation.

"Sa pamamaraang ito hindi natin mapupuno ang ating mga ospital [this way our hospitals will not be overcrowded with patients]," Vergeire said.  —KBK, GMA News

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