Palace admits continuing rise in COVID-19 cases ‘does not inspire’ easing of lockdown

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday admitted that the continuing increase in confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases “does not inspire” the further relaxation of lockdown restrictions in the country.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this as President Duterte is set to announce on Monday, June 15 his decision on whether to lift, extend or modify the different quarantine measures being enforced in various areas throughout the Philippines.

“It does not inspire relaxation. But the announcement, as I said, is subject to appeal and will be announced by the President,” Roque said in a televised press briefing.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Wednesday the highest number of “fresh” COVID-19 cases of 452 since it modified its reporting on May 29 to distinguish those parts of the validation backlogs.

The DOH also recorded 288 “late” cases, for a total of 740 additional coronavirus infections. The nationwide tally now stands at 23,732.

Experts from the University of the Philippines estimated that the number of coronavirus cases in the Philippines could shoot up to 40,000 by the end of June as the country is still experiencing “significant” community transmission of the disease three months into the pandemic.

This is a stark contrast of the claim of the DOH that the country is now seeing a flattening of the pandemic curve.

Currently, Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Pangasinan, Albay, Western Visayas, Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Davao City are under general community quarantine (GCQ) until June 15.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country is under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ), the lowest form of community quarantine enforced by the government.

EDV