MANILA, Philippines—Northern provinces Cagayan, Apayao, and Benguet have reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) after recording high cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The MECQ status will take effect on May 11 until May 23.
As of May 10, Cagayan has 4,657 cases followed by Benguet with 531 and Apayao with 63.
Business operations in the said areas will be limited according to the directive of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
A liquor ban will be implemented while religious gatherings will only be allowed at 10% capacity. Entertainment and recreational events also be suspended.
Benguet governor Melchor Diclas reported that majority of the COVID-19 cases in their area are severe. Hospitals in Benguet are also in short supply of respirators.
“Dumadami talaga ang mga pasyente natin. Marami ang namamatay at marami ang nagkakasakit ng critical at serious. Ang respirator natin may nagagamit tayong 13 na respirator. Ang bakante nalang ay dalawa,” he said.
(Our patients are increasing. Many have died and many are in critical or serious condition. We have 13 respirators but there are only two available units left.)
Hospitals in Apayao, meanwhile, are at 80% critical level. In Cagayan Province, Governor Manuel Mamba said Tuguegarao City’s home quarantine setup is still contributing to the rising cases of COVID-19.
“Hindi magiging epektibo ang MECQ sa Tuguegarao City hangga’t may home quarantine,” he said.
(MECQ in Tuguegarao City will not be effective as long as home quarantine is being implemented .)
Mamba continues to reiterate the need to build isolation facilities in Tuguegarao to accommodate COVID-19 patients. AAC (With reports from Marvin Calas)
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