‘WAR ON COVID IS NOT YET OVER’: DOH-6 warns quarantine status of WV might be reverted if rules are flouted

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The health department warned that the quarantine status in Western Visayas might be reverted to stricter protocols if residents don’t follow the more “relaxed” General Community Quarantine (GCQ) rules.

While the reopening of businesses and other establishments under the GCQ is necessary to jumpstart the economy, Dr. Ma. Julia Villanueva, assistant regional director of Department of Health – Center for Health Development Western Visayas (DOH-CHD 6), reiterated that the war against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has barely ended.

“We understand that everyone is excited to go back to what we used to be before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we would like to emphasize that the war against COVID-19 has not yet ended. We are not even halfway through it. We do hope that GCQ protocols will be followed so that we may not revert to our previous quarantine status,” she said in a virtual press conference on Tuesday.

After almost two months of lockdown, Western Visayas transitioned from Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to a more relaxed GCQ on May 16, 2020.

Public transport was allowed but with reduced capacity; while reopening of select establishments was allowed from 50 to 100 percent but subject to minimum health standards.

All provinces and highly urbanized cities (HUCs) in the region were tested during the third day of the implementation of GCQ in Monday.

In Iloilo City where border restrictions have been lifted, the swarm of commuters mostly coming from Iloilo province clogged the terminals.

Physical distancing, which is a critical health standard to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, was not observed by the public.

Villanueva emphasized that the public should not be complacent and practice precautionary measures especially in public places amid the GCQ.

“We would like to constantly remind the public to constantly observe social distancing. Maintain one-meter distance from another person when you are in public places. We have to protect oneself from transmission. In public places, do not forget to wear your masks and practice cough etiquette,” she said.

For persons who have no urgent transactions, Villanueva said that it is better to stay at their homes.

For a second day in a row, Western Visayas has not recorded new COVID-19 cases based on a bulletin issued by DOH-CHD 6 on Monday.

The total registered cases in the region remains at 104 with 28 active cases and 10 deaths.

DOH-CHD 6 also reported two additional recoveries on Monday involving a 42-year-old male from Bacolod City (WV Patient No.47) and a 36-year-old male from Laua-an, Antique (WV Patient No. 49).

Villanueva said the two new recoveries are repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

A total of 66 patients in the region have already recovered from COVID-19.