Abra under ECQ from September 1 to 7

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The entire province of Abra was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for one week starting yesterday.

Gov. Maria Jocelyn Bernos issued an executive order (EO) on the shift to the strictest quarantine classification, noting that five municipalities are at critical risk while six others are at high risk for COVID-19.

Bernos also cited the increase in the average daily attack rate per 100,000 people at 9.82 percent.

The provincial health office recorded 300 active cases in 23 of 27 towns in Abra on Tuesday.

Seventy-six new cases were reported yesterday.

While the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19 has yet to decide on whether to impose granular or localized lockdowns in place of province-wide community quarantines, Bernos said the Local Government Code empowers provincial governors to carry out measures necessary during and in the aftermath of man-made and natural disasters and calamities.

“COVID-19 has mutated, bringing about multiple variants of concern, such as the one considered as more contagious and may be more fatal for the members of the vulnerable sector,” the EO read.

“The continued existence of COVID-19 calls for the need to further enforce community quarantine protocols for the health and safety of the people and to prevent the spread of the virus in the province,” it added.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Pangasinan is waiting for the approval of the IATF to place the province under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions due to a surge in COVID cases.

Gov. Amado Espino III requested the IATF to place the province under GCQ from Sept. 1 to 15.

The provincial health office recorded 258 new cases on Tuesday, with 10 deaths.

Pangasinan is under modified GCQ until Sept. 7.

Mayor Julio Parayno III of Urdaneta issued an EO placing the city under GCQ from Aug. 27 to Sept. 9.

Sison and Pozorrubio towns were placed under MECQ from Aug. 27 to Sept. 9. – Eva Visperas