Galvez says 15-day MECQ not enough to 'arrest' COVID-19 cases

Chief implementer of the government's COVID-19 response Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday admitted that the 15-day enforcement of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in some areas is not enough to curb the spread of COVID-19.

"As we expected 'yung 15 days na 'yun is not enough to address or arrest COVID cases. But we will continue to work hard na 'yung lahat ng mga strategies natin ay mapababa talaga natin ang new cases and at the same time minimize 'yung deaths," Galvez said at a press conference.

Concerned officials are maximizing the 15 days by visiting critical areas to teach local government and health officials on how to enforce localized lockdowns or zoning, Galvez said.

"Bibisitahin po natin ang lahat ng LGUs this week. Matatapos po natin ang NCR this week," Galvez said.

"Ang One Health Command ay bibisitahin din po ang lahat ng hospitals para matingnan po natin ang kanilang preparations at para po sa support sa ating health workers," he added.

Galvez said the government would check if there is a need to recalibrate the measures against COVID-19.

The National Capital Region, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal were placed under MECQ from August 4 to 18.

Earlier, Malacañang said an extension of the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and other high-risk provinces could have adverse effects to the country's economy.

“Tatapatin ko po kayo, hindi na po kaya ng ekonomiya ang mas matagalan pang lockdown,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, noting that the MECQ was implemented to give medical frontliners a break.—AOL, GMA News