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.
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.