As COVID-19 cases rise in Cavite, Remulla tells residents to prepare for lockdown

Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla — RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — The province of Cavite may soon be placed under a lockdown as the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the area continues to increase.

Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla, in a Facebook post on Monday, said he would suggest to the mayors to “start the lockdown sooner.”

“Let’s get ready. I will suggest that to the Mayors that we start the Lockdown sooner. Please prepare,” he said.

https://www.facebook.com/263452323765094/posts/2713068022136833/?d=n

He said he would also ask for additional reinforcement from the military.

“I will confer with the Mayors later and (get) consensus on lockdown rules. I will contact the Philippine Army later for additional reinforcements,” Remulla said.

According to the governor, there are so far 161 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the province.

“I take full responsibility for this. I should have enforced the (vitamin-enriched enhanced community quarantine) earlier,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier extended the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Region 3, Calabarzon and other high-risk areas until May 15 while a general community quarantine was placed in areas listed as low-risk for the coronavirus.

To date, Philippine health officials have so far recorded 7,579 COVID-19 cases in the country.

Of the number, 862 patients have recovered while 501 have died.