WHO Warns Philippines: End Of Quarantine Too Early

WHO Warns Philippines Against Ending Quarantine Prematurely

WHO WARNS PHILIPPINES – Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization cautioned the Philippines against ending its quarantine too early.

The enhanced community quarantine imposed by President Rodrigo Duterte would be ending soon. As per previous reports, the end date for the ECQ is on April 12, 2020.

However, this may be extended due to the continued rising of cases and local transmissions of the virus. As such, WHO cautioned the government against lifting the ECQ too early.

WHO Warns Philippines: End Of Quarantine Too Early — Image from: Prokerala

According to an article from MSN, the Inter-Agency Task Force, Along with the DOH was still making final evaluations regarding whether the quarantine would be lifted, extended, or expanded.

Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire emphasized that the increase in the number of cases was due to expanded testing capacities. Additionally, the DOH added more laboratories able to conduct testings.

Along with this, more Hospitals are being eyed and seek approval to function as test centers for COVID-19. However, with all the countermeasures imposed for COVID-19, WHO Western Pacific regional director Takeshi Kasai said:

It is unlikely that this virus will disappear next week or even next month

Based on a previous report, the WHO stated that the Philippines could see a spike of over 70,000 cases of COVID-19. Along with this, the virus might cause over 2,000 deaths in the country.

In lieu of this, the WHO had also stated that countries must execute an aggressive attack against the virus. These measures include mass testings, faster identification, and isolation of COVID-19 positive cases.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the number of cases has gone up to 2,084. Moreover, the country had reported 88 deaths and 49 recoveries.

In lieu of this, Kasai stated: