Galvez says if extended, enhanced community quarantine may be for additional 15 days
Secretary Carlito Galvez on Saturday said should the enhanced community quarantine being implemented as a measure to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 be extended, it may possibly only be for a maximum of 15 days.
"Pinag-aaralan pa natin (kung mae-extend). Premature po kung mag-a-announce tayo ngayon, pero i-involve natin ang mga scientists natin, and ating mga doktor, specialists na titingnan po ang mga reference model ng ibang bansa. Mahirap na mag-rush tayo sa normalcy tapos babalik sa lockdown. May mga countries, dalawa, tatlong lockdown sila kasi pag nare-relax, bumabalik ang surge ng new cases. Pag-aaralan natin na isang bagsak na lang na ma-extend natin ng 15 days para ma-sustain natin 'yung magandang nagawa ng lockdown," he said.
Sec. Galvez: Nasa maximum of 15 days ang pinag-uusapan kung sakali man na magkaroon ng extension sa ipinatutupad na enhanced community quarantine. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 4, 2020
Galvez, chief implementer of the government's national policy against COVID-19, said the lockdown imposed on Luzon and other areas has led to a slower increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
"Maganda po ang nagawa ng lockdown. Na-slow down ng lockdown ang spread ng virus. With that, nakita namin na malaki ang possibility na magkakaroon ng lockdown ng 15 more days," he added.
Sec. Galvez: Malaki po ang naitulong ng ipinatupad na lockdown. https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) April 4, 2020
"Paakyat pa po (ang bilang ng mga kaso ng COVID-19). Hindi pa po siya nagpa-plateau," Galvez said, adding that some areas in the country registered a big number of COVID-19 cases.
"Metro Manila lalo na sa Quezon City at areas ng Regions III and IV — itong mga regions na ito ang contamination ay mataas," he said.
Over 1,500 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Metro Manila.
The Department of Health on Friday said the number of COVID-19 cases reached 3,018 as more tests have been conducted.
The death toll reached 136 while 52 have recovered.
READ: COVID-19 Dashboard: Summary of Cases in the Philippines
—KG, GMA News