IATF OKs Albay, Zamboanga ECQ extension

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Albay and Zamboanga City.

”The recommendation is  pending the approval of President Duterte,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday.

Under Executive Order 112, the President will decide on whether to  impose, lift or extend a community quarantine in the provinces, highly urbanized cities and independent component cities.

At least 18 inmates and a jail personnel at the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (CRC) were added to the list of those who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to the local IATF.

Jail warden Chief Inspector Nathaniel Aljas said 20 jail personnel, who were exposed to the infected inmates, are under quarantine.

The number of confirmed cases in Zamboanga City is now 30. Twenty-two of the  patients are from the city jail.

The local IATF said it expects more cases when test results are released. A total of 119 swab samples from CRC were sent for testing on Monday and Thursday.

Secretary Carlito Galvez, chief implementer of the national action plan of the task force against COVID-19; Presidential Adviser on Flagship Programs and Projects Vince Dizon, and Government Service Insurance System general manager Rolando Macasaet went to Zamboanga City yesterday to assess the situation.

‘Very alarming’

Galvez said the surge in cases in the city jail is ”very alarming.”

He said a lockdown is being considered, noting that Zamboanga City is the center of Zamboanga peninsula and connects the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

”We see the geographical vulnerability here,” Galvez said.

He stressed the need for mass testing to determine the extent of infection.

Albay mayors passed a resolution calling for an extended ECQ in the province, saying they are not yet ready to shift to general community quarantine (GCQ).

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal said an extended ECQ would help contain the spread of the disease.

The President had earlier approved the extension of the ECQ in the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo, citing the number of cases and the capability of local government units to provide medical services.

While waiting for the response of the IATF on their request to keep the status quo, Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc said the province would remain under ECQ.

Manotoc said they are not ready to implement the lax protocols of the GCQ.

The province was supposed to shift to GCQ yesterday. – With Cet Dematera