REQUEST FOR MODIFIED ECQ. Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. asks the Department of Health (DOH) and Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), to implement a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the highly-urbanized city until May 31, 2020 to avoid a possible surge in Covid-19 cases. In a letter to DOH Secretary Francisco Duque and IATF Co-Chairperson Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, Lazatin cited the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the city. (File photo courtesy of the city government of Angeles)
ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – The local chief executive here on Wednesday asked the Department of Health (DOH) and Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), to implement a modified enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in this highly-urbanized city until May 31 to avoid a possible surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) transmission.
In a letter addressed to DOH Secretary Francisco Duque and IATF Co-Chairperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles, Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. cited the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the city, currently pegged at 17.
Lazatin said although the city government procured testing kits for rapid antibody tests, the number is not enough.
As of May 5, there were 2,371 individuals who have undergone rapid antibody tests, where probable cases, persons with exposure, and city hall front-line workers were prioritized.
The mayor said the city government is seeking to ramp up the conduct of rapid mass testing to contain the virus.
“I am in constant coordination with the Philippine Red Cross, Provincial Government of Pampanga, and Department of Health to extend the city’s capabilities and resources to widen the conduct of rapid mass testing,” he said.
Lazatin also said the city has drafted guidelines for the impending general community quarantine.
“However, we need more time to flesh out all the details and logistics to ensure its orderly implementation. We strictly ask that we be given more time to do so,” he said.
This city is still under assessment by the IATF until May 14 whether it will be placed under GCQ after the ECQ expires on May 15. (PNA)
