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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider DOH confident NCR, when it transitions to GCQ, can keep COVID-19 cases at manageable levels

DOH confident NCR, when it transitions to GCQ, can keep COVID-19 cases at manageable levels

Published May 28, 2020 12:00 am
By Analou De Vera The Department of Health (DOH) expressed optimism that the National Capital Region will be able to “mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)” if ever the government puts it under a relatively relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ). Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) “We are confident that the minimum health standards that we have put in place and the strengthening of the health systems we have accomplished can mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and adequately meet the demand for healthcare services given these relaxed restrictions,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. Vergeire said that the DOH is “acknowledging” the recommendations of the Metro Manila mayors to relax community quarantine measures in NCR “in light of the economic impact of COVID-19.” “Hindi lang health ang tinitingnan ‘pag nagdedesiyon sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force). Kinokonsider din po ang security, economic factors and also kinokonsider din po ‘yung social assistance na naibibigay sa ating mga mamamayan,” said Vergeire. The Health official noted that so-called case doubling time in Metro Manila is now at seven days. Prior to the implementation of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine in March, case doubling time in Metro Manila was about two to three days. “So nakikita po natin ‘yung magandang indikasyon. Pero ang lagi nga natin sinasabi, hindi tayo pwede maging complacent,” said Vergeire. “We still need to be vigilant. Kailangan pa rin po ‘yung measures gagawin natin para hindi tayo magkaroon ng sudden surge of cases (We still need to observe precautionary measures to prevent the sudden surge of cases),” she added. Based on the latest DOH data, the NCR has a total of 9,721 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 669 deaths as of May 27. The NCR accounts for 65 percent of the 15,049 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. Majority of the cases in NCR came from Quezon City, with 2,099. It was followed by the City of Manila, with 1,122; Makati City with 647; Mandaluyong City with 632; and Parañaque City with 616.
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