Duterte extends ECQ in Cebu City until July 15

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Cebu City until July 15, designating it as a COVID-19 hotspot with a high positivity rate of 30% and a death rate equal to the national average.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who was sent by Duterte to personally assess the situation, recommended the ECQ extension due to overwhelmed quarantine facilities and low morale among medical practitioners.

The decision to maintain ECQ in Cebu City was also influenced by the Inter-Agency Task Force and the city's report of 353 new infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 5,494 cases and 169 deaths.

Metro Manila, Cavite, and Rizal will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) until July 15.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque explained that Metro Manila's GCQ status is due to a case doubling rate of seven days, falling short of the 10-day rate required for a modified GCQ.