In Cebu City rapid testing in new ECQ

CEBU, Philippines —  The new executive order of Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella extending the enhanced community quarantine in the city to May 15 includes a specific provision on “expanded testing procedures” as the city continues to battle the coronavirus disease.

The city recorded a total of 548 positive cases yesterday, April 28, the day the initial ECQ declaration was scheduled to expire.

“During this period, expect expanded testing procedures, including the implementation of Rapid Diagnostic Tests, in the City so we can plan and prepare for our policies after May 15, 2020”, Labella said in a Facebookpost.

Under Section 15 of the new executive order, EO No. 73, the city government will set the necessary platforms and facilities for the expanded testing procedures. This includes the use of rapid diagnostic tests in order to detect the disease in a credible scale of the population.

As stated in the EO, the rise in the number of positive cases in Cebu City is the result of massive testing conducted by the city government, and there is a need to extend the ECQ period to ensure that there is no further transmission of the virus while those found positive undergo quarantine and treatment.

The new EO also adopts policies that the city issued in March for the first ECQ period. These include, among others, the mandatory stay-at-home order, closure of businesses, suspension of classes, suspension of public transportation, and border controls.

The liquor ban is still in place, particularly in public places.

“As such, it shall be prohibited for any person to drink intoxicating liquor in any public place within the City of Cebu during the entire period of the enhance community quarantine,” the new EO reads.

It was on March 27, 2020 when Labella issued EO No. 64, which put Cebu City under a state of ECQ effective midday on March 28 until midday of April 28 “or unless sooner lifted or withdrawn” but the rise in the number of cases here prompted Labella to extend the ECQ.

The national government also included Cebu on the list of places inthe country that should remain under ECQ until May 15 owing to the number of COVID-19 positive cases.

On April 27, Labella issued an order requiring persons deprived of liberty (PDL) to undergo COVID-19 testing before admission into or release from theCebu City Jail.

There are 208 positive cases recorded at the jail as of April 27, the most number in any area in Cebu City next to Barangay Luz, which has 162 positive cases.

The AFP and PNP have been directed to implement the full extent of thenew executive order.

Barangay captains, officials, tanods, and other force multipliers are also mandated to implement the order in their respective jurisdiction in coordination with law enforcement agencies. JMO (FREEMAN)