By ELLALYN RUIZ
Experts from the University of the Philippines Diliman are urging the government to continue with the imposition of significant restrictions in Metro Manila and other high-risk areas for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as the rate of transmission remains “high.”
The number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila has hit 9,481, while the number of deaths has reached 651, based on the Department of Health (DoH) data as of May 26.
The cases in Metro Manila constitute almost 65 percent of the total number of coronavirus infection in the Philippines.
In a recent study by professors Guido David and Ranjit Singh Rye with research associate Ma. Patricia Agbulos, the team pointed out that Metro Manila and Cebu City have “very high” number of COVID-19 cases and “high” rate of transmission.
“The reproduction number of NCR (National Capital Region), which is oscillating at around 1.0 rather than showing a discernible decrease, is a sign that it might be premature to relax the MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) to GCQ (general community quarantine),” Rye said in an interview over GMA on Wednesday.
The current reproduction number means there is still a transmission of the disease.
Rye’s team earlier pointed out that mobility and proximity to other people are the main drivers of the pandemic.
“Considering that NCR is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, and in fact Manila, Pateros and Mandaluyong are top three among all cities and municipalities in the world, reducing mobility and proximity in NCR is a challenge,” the UP experts said.
It added that social distancing and cooperation from the public become very important now that Metro Manila is under MECQ.
Rye also noted that the latest data of the DoH has not yet included around 7,000 individuals who have tested positive based on reports by 36 testing centers nationwide.
HIGH-RISK AREAS
The UP experts also noted that the risk levels of the pandemic in Batangas, Davao City, and Zamboanga City remain significant, advising the government to closely monitor these areas in the coming weeks.
“We urge government to also monitor the situation in Zamboanga City, Batangas and Davao City as the risk levels of the pandemic in these areas are still significant,” they said.
Citing as an example the sudden increase in the number of cases in Cebu City, they told the government that: “we cannot afford to be complacent, even in areas where the pandemic appears to be contained, because it takes just one spreader to start a second wave of the pandemic.”
They urged the government to also closely monitor Samar and Oriental Mindoro, as a number of new cases appeared in those provinces recently.
“Even in areas under GCQ or those not under community quarantine, vigilance is still needed in order to ensure that any new cases are immediately detected and new outbreaks prevented. Our goal ultimately is not just to flatten the curve but to bend it downwards,” the team explained.
