Duque Says MECQ Should Be Extended Within NCR Plus Bubble
MECQ EXTENSION – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III says that the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) should be extended for another week or two.
On Monday, the health secretary stated that the healthcare capacity has yet to stabilize amid the recent COVID-19 surge. Furthermore, capacity for intensive care units (ICUs) remains at critical levels in some cities.
During an interview with ABS-CBN, Duque said:
Kung titingnan natin ang datos, tingin ko talagang kinakailangan ipagpatuloy ang MECQ for another week or two dahil nga ‘yung ating health system capacity, hindi masyadong nag-iimprove pa sa ngayon. Patuloy pa ring may ilang syudad ang may critical risk classification ang kanilang ICU capacity
The current lockdown in NCR Plus is set to expire on April 30. The provinces within the NCR Plus bubble include Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and Bulacan.
Due to sudden surge in COVID-19 cases, presence of new variants, and skyrocketing infections, NCR Plus was placed under an enhanced community quarantine. Following this, the virus’ transmission rate dropped leading authorities to lower to lockdown to an MECQ.
Now, the government needs to balance out stabilizing the healthcare system, number of cases, and the economy. Meanwhile, research groups such as OCTA recommended to place NCR Plus in another MECQ to continue the downward trend of transmission rates.
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