Lorenzana chided: Drop in COVID-19 cases daily count not enough basis for GCQ

MANILA, Philippines — A single-day or a few days decrease in recorded COVID-19 cases should not be deemed as enough basis to determine Metro Manila’s readiness to shift into general community quarantine (GCQ).

Because for Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) chairperson Leody de Guzman, recent COVID-19 data indicate that the nation’s capital region remains far from being ready for such transition to a more relaxed lockdown category.

According to the labor leader, the decline in the highest single-day count of new cases last August 4 — which was at 6,352 — occurred after an almost 5,000 new cases were reported on August 2 and just above 3,000 new cases on August 3.

“How can Mr. Lorenzana say that we are ‘ready’ just because of a single-day drop in reported cases? Even to the casual eye, the recent COVID-19 data shows that there is no such evidence to say that we are ‘ready’,” De Guzman said in a statement, assailing Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who earlier claimed that Metro Manila is again set to be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) – a lighter lockdown category – because COVID-19 cases have started to recede.

The National Capital Region (NCR) was reverted to MECQ from August 4 to 18 due to continuously rising cases of the serious respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2, the latest coronavirus strain.

“Once again, another former general presuming himself to be a medical expert is endangering Filipinos further with his pompous statements. Simply put, the fluctuating numbers cannot prove that we are in the clear,” De Guzman added.

Lorenzana also said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel that areas with infections have already been identified so the government may opt for localized lockdowns.

“Yes, I think the trend is going down. Yesterday mga 3,000 na lang ‘yung bagong kaso, down from 6,000 previously,” he said.  “I think we are ready to go down. We cannot continue with the MECQ kasi alam na natin kung nasaan ang mga areas na may infection.   ‘Yun ang tututukan natin, so that the others can also go to work,” he also said.

READ: Metro Manila ready for GCQ anew after August 18–Lorenzana

Labor group BMP has previously criticized the abrupt enforcement of the MECQ in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, saying it may put the public at a higher risk of contracting the virus since the imposition forced people to go on panic buying while the lack of social aid would mean workers would challenge quarantine restrictions to earn income.

READ: Abrupt lockdown poses many dangers, says labor group

De Guzman then asked whether someone is benefitting from such schemes, asserting that the government still would not listen to health experts who insist on a health-based approach to the pandemic — which in turn, would help the economy recover.

“Who is Lorenzana consulting in making these inane remarks? Capitalists and oligarchs losing profits due to quarantine restrictions, or medical experts and professionals?” he asked.

“They continue to ignore the growing number of health experts, economists, trade unions, and civil society organizations asserting that prioritizing the country’s health system is a necessary condition for economic recovery,” he added.

KGA