MANILA – The national government reversed its decision to lift the community quarantine in Western Visayas and other “low-risk” areas following the appeal of governors and mayors who expressed fear that easing restrictions at this time could spark a surge in cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Western Visayas is to be shifted to modified general community quarantine (GCQ) by May 16, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Eduardo Año announced yesterday.
Under a modified GCQ, socioeconomic activities will be allowed but minimum public health standards must be followed.
Specific guidelines will be issued before the end of the enhanced and/or general community quarantine of various provinces, cities and towns in several regions on May 15, Año said.
“Marami pong governors and mayors na nagsagawa ng petitions and requests. Sinasabi nila na hindi pa sila handa para tanggalin ang community quarantine,” said Año in a virtual press conference in Malacañang .
Aside from Western Visayas, other regions to be placed under a modified GCQ are Region 1, Region 4-B, Region 5, Region 8, Region 10, Region 12, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao covering 37 provinces and 11 cities.
“Wala na po tayong areas sa buong Pilipinas na hindi under community quarantine. Iba-iba lang pong level,” said Año.
As of yesterday, Western Visayas’ confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stood at 99, with 10 deaths.
Here’s the breakdown of cases:
* Aklan – six
* Antique – 14
* Capiz – five
* Guimaras – zero
* Iloilo Province – 18
* Negros Occidental – two
* Bacolod City – nine
* Iloilo City – 16
* repatriates – 29
On Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the ECQ in Western Visayas was to be lifted by May 16 because the region was considered a low-risk area for COVID-19 transmission.
“Provinces and cities under the low-risk category are in containment preparation phase which means empowering communities in enforcing minimum health standards and making investments to meet health capacity targets,” Roque had said.
He warned that the threat of the virus still existed, “Kaya kinakailangan pong mag-ingat tayo.”
“Hindi po tayo pupuwedeng bumalik sa normal bago dumating ang COVID-19 habang walang bakuna, habang walang gamot sa COVID-19,” he stressed.
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
Possible vaccines and some specific drug treatments are under investigation. They are being tested through clinical trials. The World Health Organization is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19.
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets also land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell./PN
