There are only a few days left before the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon is set to end, but President Duterte’s decision whether to end or extend it will still depend on the assessment and recommendation of the IATF.
An expert said an organized and strictly enforced quarantine is the most effective way to reduce the cases of COVID-19 in the country, and that it is not the right time to end the quarantine period as there is still a huge number of positive COVID-19 cases.
“Ngayong linggo pa lang napabilis ‘yung tesing so aasahan na medyo tataas talaga ‘yung bilang ng mga positibo. … maganda sana pababa ‘yung curve saka natin masasabi talaga na hindi na tayo magbukod o mag-quarantine ng areas. (It’s only this week that we have sped up testing so we expect an increase in cases. It would be better if the curve is downward, only then can we say we no longer need quarantine areas),” UP Health Services Deputy Director Dr. Darleth Romana-Bantiles said.
The importance of contact tracing was emphasized as well as the isolation of infected individuals, and the systematic testing to prevent the rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. The most important practice cited during the crisis is social and physical distancing.
Dr. Bantiles also explained that an indication that the ongoing situation is improving if the number of positive COVID-19 cases does not increase amid the enhanced testing. – Report from Sandra Samala
