MECQ in 8 Ilocos Sur towns

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — Eight towns in Ilocos Sur are now under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Alilem is the latest to be placed under MECQ, based on an executive order issued by Gov. Ryan Luis Singson yesterday. The stricter quarantine status is effective until July 22.

Singson said the threat of COVID-19 in the province remains “very high and alarming,” with 904 active cases with “extensive contacts” recorded as of Wednesday. Forty-six of the cases are from Alilem.

Sinait and Sta. Lucia are under MECQ until July 12; Magsingal, until July 15; Banayoyo and Lidlidda, until July 18, and Burgos and Narvacan, until July 19.

In Eastern Samar, Mayor Jose Ivan Agda of Borongan issued new quarantine measures as he lifted the MECQ status in the city.

Aside from minimum health protocols, Agda said curfew will be imposed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Dine-in services, religious activities and gatherings with permit from public health and safety task force are allowed, but limited to 50 percent of the venue’s capacity.

A negative swab test is required for visitors from outside Eastern Visayas.

Unvaccinated cop dies of COVID

Meanwhile, a 48-year-old policeman from Zamboanga del Sur died of COVID-19 on Tuesday, the same day he was found positive for the disease.

Records show the policeman, with the rank of senior master sergeant, had not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Seventy-six Philippine National Police personnel have died after contracting the virus since last year, 46 of them since January.