Spox Roque: Curve flattening halted by eased quarantine

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stated that the Philippines' flattening of the COVID-19 curve was halted due to the easing of quarantine restrictions aimed at reopening the economy.

Roque indicated that the number of COVID-19 cases began to increase after the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ, suggesting these strict measures were effective in controlling the virus spread.

He attributed the rise in cases partly to the government's efforts to reopen the economy, which led to relaxed restrictions.

Additionally, Roque mentioned that the increased detection of cases coincided with the government's significant expansion of its testing capacity.

This statement came after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III initially claimed the curve was flattened, but later clarified he meant 'bent' the curve, apologizing for the confusion.