By NOREEN JAZUL
A research expert from the University of the Philippines (UP) said Saturday the extension of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila is “not necessary” anymore as long as there is an initiative from a local government unit (LGU) to impose a localized lockdown.
Dr. Guido David, a member of the UP-OCTA Research, said Metro Manila is getting close to flattening the curve, noting that the region’s R-naught or basic reproduction number has dropped to 1.15 from 1.5.
The research expert added that the MECQ was effective in slowing down the trend in cases.
“Alam ko siguro na alam ‘yung mga ibang tumitingin ng data, pag naririnig natin ‘yung 6,000 cases, pero ‘yung iba don actually backlog,” David told DZRH News in an interview.
“Pag tinitignan natin talaga ‘yung trend sa test results sa mga test centers, talagang bumababa naman,” he added.
David expressed optimism on the government’s new strategy to impose localized lockdowns instead.
“We are actually optimistic dito sa magiging strategy ng government, kahit mag GCQ (general community quarantine) tayo, tingin natin ma ma-maintain ’tong trend natin na pababa,” David said.
David cited Cebu City as example where the implementation of localized lockdowns worked, stating that the city’s number of daily cases went down from 300 to 90.
“Sa Cebu (City) GCQ na sila pero bumababa pa rin (ang cases), so what worked in Cebu City, i-a-apply natin sa Metro Manila (In Cebu City, the number of cses continue to go down despite being under GCQ),” he said.
The research expert said localized lockdowns coupled with more random testing, isolation, and strict implementation of the use of face shields will help in slowing down transmissions.
David, however, said that flattening the curve does not necessarily mean that the country has already succeeded in curbing the pandemic.
“First step ‘yung flattening of the curve. Second step ‘yung mapapaba natin (‘yung cases).
Possible na di na natin kailangan antayin ‘yung vaccines neto, (Flattening the curve is the first step. The second step is to lessen the cases. It’s actually possible that we won’t no longer need to wait for the vaccine), ” he said.
David maintained his group’s prediction of 200,000 cases by end of August and 300,000 by end of September.
