Manila Bulletin
Galvez: Luzon lockdown a tough but necessary decision
National Action Plan Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez stated that the Philippines' preparations against the COVID-19 pandemic were superior compared to other nations, including the United States, Japan, and Singapore.
Galvez highlighted that the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon effectively delayed the virus's spread by about a month, allowing for improvements in medical services.
He specifically pointed out that the Philippines was among the first to impose a travel ban on countries with COVID-19 cases, a decision he deemed crucial for the positive results observed.
The country's National Action Plan is on track, with testing capacity increasing and more laboratories being accredited as testing centers.
As of April 8, the Philippines had 3,870 total cases, 182 deaths, and 96 recoveries.
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Health Secretary Francisco Duque stated that the Philippines has one of the lowest COVID-19 infection rates globally, with a total of two cases per one million population.
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President Rodrigo Duterte extended the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon until April 30, 2020.
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The government is considering a "selective" quarantine approach if certain health and recovery parameters are met, according to NTF COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
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The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has set guidelines to decide whether to lift or extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon, which is set to end on April 12.
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The Philippine government is considering extending the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the continued rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths, with no significant flattening of the curve observed yet.
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