Health chief Duque says MECQ in 'NCR Plus' should be extendedMANILA, Philippines (Updated 4:48 p.m.) — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces should be extended as many hospitals remain in critical status. In an interview with dzMM Teleradyo Monday, Duque said Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal—dubbed as the “NCR Plus”—should remain under MECQ for another week or two. “If we look at the data, I think we need to extend MECQ for another week or two because our health system capacity has yet to significantly improve. Three scenariosIn a separate briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said experts had identified three scenarios to be considered by the government. Duque said the recommendation to extend MECQ in “NCR Bubble” will be discussed by the government’s inter-agency task force on COVID-19 response.

Source: Philippine Star April 26, 2021 02:41 UTC