Health experts urge ECQ extension in NCR Plus

Health experts recommend extending the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in NCR Plus until April 11 to give the healthcare system more time to prepare, as hospitals in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces are at critical levels for COVID-19 bed occupancy.

On March 29, the Philippines recorded over 10,000 daily coronavirus infections, the highest since the pandemic began.

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora believes a one-week ECQ is too short and favors an extension, citing that numbers will not go down that fast, and another week would help maximize its effects.

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso expressed his approval for an ECQ extension if authorities deem it necessary based on data, prioritizing life over livelihood.

Some mayors in Metro Manila acknowledged that based on past experience, a week of strict lockdowns may not be enough to reverse the upward trend in COVID-19 cases.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco stated that cases don't go down in 7 days, sometimes it takes 14 days for the results to manifest.

Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro noted that from a medical point of view, one week is not enough.

Dr. Teddy Herbosa emphasized that an extended ECQ must be accompanied by continuous public health measures like testing, isolation, and contact tracing to effectively reduce disease transmission.