La Union town shifts to MECQ

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — Agoo town in La Union reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting yesterday until Sept. 16.

Mayor Stefanie Ann Eriguel issued an executive order providing the guidelines for the implementation of the stricter community quarantine.

The provincial government issued an EO placing the town under MECQ on Thursday.

Eriguel stressed the need to implement measures to “ensure the highest level of protection of people in our community,”citing daily reports on the surge of COVID-19 cases.

In an advisory of the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, persons 65 years old and above, 15 years old and below, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity and other health risks as well as pregnant women are discouraged to attend mass physically.

Only immediate family members are allowed to attend funeral masses. No baptism will be allowed.

Agoo logged 186 COVID cases as of Thursday.

C. Luzon hospital seeks reinforcement

Meanwhile, the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH) in San Fernando, Pampanga sought staff reinforcement from the Department of Health as the number of infections rise.

JBLMGH is a tertiary, teaching and training hospital in Central Luzon.

Monserrat Chichioco, medical center chief II, said staff deployment for mild COVID cases in the hospital is 1:30 doctor-to-patient ratio and up to 1:25 nurse-to-patient ratio.

Chichioco said  the nurse-to- patient ratio for moderate to severe cases is at 1:15 while critical cases have 1:6 nurse-to-patient and 1:15 doctor-to-patient ratio.

The bed occupancy at JBLMGH is at 94.18 percent while critical care beds are 96.87 percent occupied. – Ramon Efren Lazaro