President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce on Monday the new quarantine classification for the different regions in the country.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed that the upcoming meeting of President Duterte with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) will take place at Malacañang.
The University of the Philippines (UP) OCTA Research Team reported that the recent modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) from August 4 to 18 has brought about a positive impact.
“We had a very good gain after 2-week MECQ… We did the numbers, and we did a modelling recently, and R-value, ‘yung reproduction natin (our reproduction) has decreased, from a high [number] few months ago, 1.17-1.18, now down to 0.95,” Dr. Rodrigo Angelo Ong of UP OCTA Research explained.
“So the R-value means that if it’s more than 1, if the R is more than 1, it’s still being transmitted in the community. If it’s less than 1, it is no longer transmitted, there’s somewhat a control in the transmission of the virus in the community. So currently, the R-value is less than 1,” he added.
The NCR may remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) as long as there is strict implementation of protocols, according to the group’s recommendation.
“Maintaining GCQ for at least another 2 weeks would be beneficial to really get the benefits of the downward trend that we gained a few weeks ago during the MECQ… We can maintain GCQ, but of course in a higher level pa rin of, sabihin na lang natin (let’s just say) vigilance, and lower our complacency,” Ong advised.
Latest forecast of the group show that the COVID-19 cases in the country may reach up to 330,000 to 375,000 by September 30. Experts reminded that the increase may be prevented with strict compliance to health protocols. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
