OCTA Wants Another Extension Of ECQ Following COVID-19 Reproduction Rate Dip
OCTA WANTS ANOTHER ECQ – Following a week-long extension of the enhanced community quarantine, OCTA Research group said it recommends extending it further.
According to OCTA, the reproduction rate of COVID-19 in Metro Manila dropped to 1.23 from 1.88 during the ECQ. As such, OCTA stated that there was hope that NCR could see a downward trend next week.
However, since the viral loadout is still above 1, it recommends another week of ECQ within the NCR Plus Bubble. Based on an article from Inquirer, OCTA stated:
Extend the ECQ for another week to continue to slow down the surge, decongest our hospitals and relieve the pressure on our healthcare workers. OCTA believes that opening up the NCR+ prematurely would be a significant risk as it could accelerate the surge again
Currently, the government is struggling with maintaining the balance between the economy and the health crisis. Meanwhile, OCTA says that if another ECQ cannot be considered for the economy’s sake, they suggest a two-week MECQ instead.
Furthermore, the Department of Health said the new quarantine classifications for the NCR Plus Bubble is expected to be announced this Saturday. “Sa ngayon po, naguusap pa po ang IATF regarding this matter. We’ll give information after the meeting“, said Health Under Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
With the ECQ in place, restrictions on travel and leisure activities are heavily affected. Moreover, curfews are imposed in almost all areas under the NCR Plus bubble.
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