E. Visayas seeks tighter community quarantine status

TACLOBAN CITY – The regional inter-agency task force on emerging infectious diseases (RIATF) is pushing for a stricter community quarantine status in Eastern Visayas due to a spike of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections.

In a resolution approved on June 9, the regional task force recommended to the national IATF to place the region from modified general community quarantine (GCQ) to GCQ, a higher classification.

The RIATF has not specified the timetable for the more strict movement restrictions.

“In order to contain the surge and facilitate the implementation of necessary measures by local government units and regional line agencies, it is imperative to impose a higher community quarantine classification,” the RIATF said in its resolution on Thursday.

Under the existing guidelines for GCQ, the movement of all persons will be limited to accessing goods and services from permitted establishments and for work.

Any person below 18 years old, those who are over 65 years of age, those with comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women should stay at home except for obtaining essential goods and services.

On Thursday, the region reported 572 new cases, the highest reported in a single day since the start of the global pandemic last year.

On Friday, 412 new cases were reported, the second-highest single-day figure.

With the new infections, the region’s total cases climbed to 23,748, including 21,170 recoveries, and 337 deaths. There are still 2,241 active cases in six provinces and seven cities in the region.

The DOH largely attributed the record-high new cases to super spreader events such as fiestas, parties, reunions, and other social gatherings. (PNA)

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https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1143366
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