Nueva Vizcaya town seeks MECQ extension

TUGUEGARAO CITY,  Cagayan , Philippines — Stressing the need to continue to implement stricter measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, the local inter-agency task force (IATF) on COVID-19 sought the extension of modified enhanced community quarantine or MECQ in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya until Sept. 30.

The regional IATF approved the town’s shift to MECQ only until Sept. 15.

To limit the movement of residents, Solano Mayor Eufemia Dacayo ordered the setting up of temporary flea markets in every barangay.

Entry into the public market, where several confirmed cases were recorded, had been restricted, according to Vice Mayor Philip Dacayo.

The municipal government banned social gatherings, such as birthday parties and weddings.

Twenty-five persons, including a provincial board member, were infected after they were exposed to a health worker during sessions in a gym.

Solano loggged 119 cases as of yesterday, 105 of them still active.

The town recorded its fourth death due to COVID-19 on Tuesday. A 54-year-old resident of Barangay Poblacion died while being treated at the Region 2 Trauma and Medical Center in Bayombong.

GCQ in Tacloban

In Tacloban City, Mayor Alfred Romualdez yesterday issued an executive order (EO) extending the implementation of general community quarantine or GCQ  until Sept. 30.

Under the EO, stricter lockdown may be imposed in critical areas.

Aside from the implementation of minimum health protocols, Romualdez said residents are required to wear face shields in public transportation and establishments in the city.

In Bacolod City, which was placed under MECQ, 20 soldiers of the 303rd Infantry Brigade were deployed to augment contact tracers.

Lt. Col. Ariel Pico said the city police has 47 contact tracers.

Maj. Edison Garcia, Negros Occidental police spokesman, said the 31 police stations in the province were also ordered to organize contact tracing teams.

In Pangasinan, the Magsaysay fish market in Dagupan City was closed to pave the way for rapid anti-body tests of fish vendors and their helpers.

Three fish vendors initially tested positive for the virus.

223 more cops infected

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded 223 COVID-19 cases among its ranks on Tuesday night.

Sixty-one of the latest infected PNP personnel are assigned in Central Luzon, 14 in Calabarzon, six in Bicol and four in Western Visayas.

Thirty-three are assigned in Metro Manila, 14 of them at Camp Crame.

All personnel and cadets at the PNP Academy in Silang, Cavite will undergo swab testing following a surge in the number of cases, PNPA director Brig. Gen. Gilberto Cruz said. – Miriam Desacada, Gilbert Bayoran, Emmanuel Tupas, Eva Visperas