An extension of the modified enhanced community quarantine or MECQ in the Greater Manila Area will help the healthcare system respond better to COVID-19 cases, the country's health chief said Monday.
Extending the MECQ for one or two weeks will help improve healthcare capacity, Health Sec. Francisco Duque III said as the public awaited new quarantine classifications set to take effect on May 1.
"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," Duque said in an interview with ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
"Patuloy pa ring may ilang siyudad ang may critical risk classification ang kanilang ICU capacity," he added.
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The MECQ in Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal is set to expire on April 30. COVID-19 protocols in the said areas were tightened last month due to a surge in infections.
"Ipagpatuloy muna natin ang MECQ para kitang-kita o malaki ang pagbaba ng mga bagong kaso at magkaroon ng reversal ng trend," Duque said.
The Philippines is on the brink of crossing the 1-million mark in COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic last year.
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