Palace: Metro Manila still PH’s COVID-19 epicenter

MANILA, Philippines — Although Cebu City was reverted to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to rising cases of COVID-19, Malacañang said Tuesday that Metro Manila remains the hotbed of the coronavirus disease in the country.

During his regular online briefing, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was asked if Cebu was the new COVID-19 epicenter of the country.

“Hindi ko naman po masasabi ‘yan dahil Cebu is only one city. Hindi gaya po ng Metro Manila na because of the continuity of different cities and municipalities, mas malaki po ‘yung area ng Metro Manila,” Roque said.

(I cannot say that because Cebu is only one city. It’s not like Metro Manila because of the continuity of different cities and municipalities, it has a larger area.)

“I will not conclude that Cebu [city] is the new epicenter. Metro Manila is still the epicenter with 14 million inhabitants. Let’s just say that in terms of individual cities, pinakamataas na po ang kaso ng COVID sa Cebu City. Na-overtake na po n’ya ang Quezon City,” he added.

(I will not conclude that Cebu is the new epicenter. Metro Manila is still the epicenter with 14 million inhabitants. Let’s just say that in terms of individual cities, Cebu City has the highest number of COVID cases, overtaking Quezon City.)

Cebu City was placed under ECQ from the previous general community quarantine (GCQ) classification after recording a high rate of coronavirus transmission.

Metro Manila and several other provinces, meanwhile, will remain under GCQ until June 30.

As of Monday, the Philippines has recorded 26,420 COVID-19 cases with 1,098 deaths and 6,252 recoveries.

KGA