Tuguegarao placed under 10-day ECQ due to hike in COVID-19 cases

Tuguegarao City and Baggao town in Cagayan will undergo a period of stricter quarantine restrictions after authorities saw an increase in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to Jun Veneracion’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday, Tuguegarao will be placed under a 10-day enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) starting January 20, 12:01 a.m.

“Sana ay mapababa nila in 10 days, but I am not very optimistic that in 10 days maibaba natin ito because they have 236 cases now and that represents about 65% of the 373 sa probinsya namin,” Governor Manuel Mamba said.

Mamba earlier endorsed calls for a 10-day ECQ in the city.

The local government of Tuguegarao said the ECQ will be lifted on January 29, but may be extended for five more days if infections continue to increase.  

Baggao, meanwhile, will be under modified ECQ from January 21 to 30. 

The town has 65 active COVID-19 cases, which local authorities attributed to holiday festivities.

“Nagkaroon pa sila ng beauty pageant, gano’n, tapos may mga Christmas party pa sila na finorewarn ko sila na ‘wag sana gawin ‘yun. Now, lumaki ‘yung problema,” Mamba said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier extended the general community quarantine in Metro Manila, and several other areas until January 31. -Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News