Iligan City placed under MECQ due to rising COVID-19 cases — IATF

A stricter lockdown will be imposed in Iligan City this September due to a continued rise in COVID-19 cases there, the Philippines’ coronavirus task force said.

Iligan City is the only area in the country which was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) by President Rodrigo Duterte, who approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on Monday.

“Due to the increasing average daily growth rate of cases, Iligan City shall be placed under modified enhanced community quarantine until 30 September 2020, without prejudice to the declaration of localized enhanced community quarantine in critical areas,” the IATF said in a resolution.

Data from the Department of Health showed that Iligan had 268 infections as of Monday, including 149 active cases. The city reported the highest number of active cases in Northern Mindanao.

Iligan’s limited healthcare capacity was also a factor in the decision to implement MECQ in the city, according to IATF and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

“Hindi naman po ganoon kataas ang kaso sa Iligan. Ang problema lang po sa Iligan, wala pong hospital doon, kaya kinakailangan ipadala pa sa Cagayan de Oro," he said in a televised briefing.

"Kumbaga iyong health utilization capacity nila ay mababa, so iyon po iyong dahilan kung bakit sila naging MECQ."

Under MECQ, strict home quarantine in all households should be observed except for those accessing essential goods/ services, working in the offices/ industries permitted to operate, and the authorized persons outside residence.

Mass gatherings and public transportation will also not be allowed during MECQ.

Also on Monday, Duterte maintained the general community quarantine (GCQ) classification for Metro Manila.

Other areas under GCQ are Bulacan, Batangas,  Bacolod City and Tacloban City. The rest of the Philippines is under modified general community quarantine. — RSJ, GMA News