Is ECQ slowing down COVID-19 transmission?

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

As local authorities in Western Visayas contemplate on the possible lifting or extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and other protocols, it remains unclear if the ECQ slowed down the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Western Visayas.

As of Thursday, no additional case was recorded in Western Visayas, according to the Department of Health-Center for Health Development in Western Visayas (DOH-CHD 6).

COVID-19 cases in the region remain at 55 with eight deaths and 11 recoveries.

Dr. Renilyn Reyes, DOH-CHD 6 spokesperson, said there is still limited information on whether the ECQ implemented by the local government units (LGUs) in the region effectively slowed down the transmission of the disease.

Based on the data they have, Reyes said confirmed cases recorded in a day can peak to three cases.

“Malantaw kita sa number of confirmed cases limited lang ang information nga makahatag pero bal-an naton pwede gid siya magsuggest. Kon lantawon naton ang pinakadamo naton nga kaso nga mareport kada adlaw is maximum of three confirmed cases per day, may ara nga adlaw nga wala, may ara duha, and isa,” she said in an online press briefing on Thursday.

There were also several instances where the region recorded zero additional cases for consecutive days, she added.

But Reyes said that the number of confirmed cases so far cannot suggest if the transmission of COVID-19 in the region already reached its peak or if the region is already flattening the curve.

“Sa sini nga number of confirmed cases, indi kita kabalo kon ini bala nagapanaog na or nagaumpisa pa lang kita saka. Kinahanglanon pa naton sang dako nga impormasyon,” he added.

In previous interviews, Dr. Ma Sophia Pulmones of DOH-CHD 6 explained that ECQ is an effective intervention to limit the transmission of the virus.

“Yes, we can say that ECQ is an effective intervention since it limits the movement of people through the implementation of strict home quarantine. As a result, it is limited to person-to-person transmission of the virus through social/physical distancing,” Pulmones said.

According to Pulmones, the transmission of COVID-19 can be influenced by population density, population mobility, and effective implementation of preventive and control measures.

The health department emphasized that local government units (LGUs) should consider several factors before lifting or expanding the ECQ.

In terms of health, Reyes said that the LGUs should look into prevention, detection, and isolation and management of cases when they opt to move forward into the new normal scheme.

“Ang amon mahatag nga recommendation is una prevention gid, dapat plastar naton ang physical distancing, disinfection, cough etiquette and healthy lifestyle,” she said.

According to Reyes, LGUs should prioritize detection or surveillance of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases which are common symptoms of COVID-19.

“Sa subong kinahanglanon gid naton sang manami nga surveillance system. That is why kita sa DOH together with LGUs, dapat gabululigay kita through a very good ILI and SARI surveillance. If the detection is really good then you can see the correct picture of the disease,” she said.

LGUs should also look into the management of cases from the primary care up to the COVID-19 referral hospitals in anticipation of the surge of cases, Reyes added.

“Ginalantaw naton sa aton mga health centers halin sa primary care asta sa aton hospital and Covid referral hospital nga dapat preparado gidman inkaso magdamo naman aton kaso. Amo na dapat pagaplastaron inkaso ano ang decision sang kada LGU,” she said.

Iloilo province has announced that it will extend the ECQ until May 15, 2020 to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, other provinces and cities in the region have yet to decide on the possible lifting or extension of their quarantine protocols.