Panelo expects decline in Covid-19 cases after ECQ

MANILA – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Wednesday said there would be a decline in the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases following the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces.

Panelo backed the ECQ in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal until April 4 to curb the spike in Covid-19 cases in the country.

“Manatili po muna tayo sa ating bahay para tayo ay ligtas sa anumang pagdating ng sakuna o kaya naman pagkahawa sa Covid (Let’s stay at home so we will be safe from any catastrophe or Covid-19 infection),” he said.

Panelo said people have a higher chance of acquiring Covid-19, if the government allows them to go outside despite the upward trend in coronavirus cases.

He also lamented that the Philippines on Monday logged 10,016 more Covid-19 cases, the country’s highest single day tally.

He reminded that everyone is prone to catching the coronavirus.

“Pinapaalala po sa inyong lahat na talagang everyone is susceptible na magkasakit. Walang kinikilala (We are reminding everyone that everyone is indeed susceptible to getting sick. [Covid] does not exempt anyone),” Panelo said.

As of Wednesday, the Philippines has recorded 6,128 new Covid-19 infections, over 3,000 lower compared to the confirmed cases reported on Tuesday.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday retained the ECQ status over Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal until April 4.

On Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said there is a “50-50” chance that the ECQ imposed in Metro Manila and its four nearby provinces will be extended beyond April 4.

Roque said members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will meet on Saturday (April 3) to discuss the fate of ECQ.

Santiago City in Isabel and Quirino province are placed under modified enhanced community quarantine from April 1 to 30 and from April 1 to 15, respectively.

General community quarantine (GCQ) is imposed in the entire Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Tacloban City, Iligan City, Davao City, and Lanao del Sur until April 30.

All other areas in the country are under modified GCQ, the most relaxed quarantine status, for the whole month of April.