Cimatu suspects BICs may have caused community transmission, recommends ECQ extension
The first hall of the NOAH Complex at the South Road Properties in Cebu City has been completed. | Photo Courtesy of Jerry Guardo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu suspects that the barangay isolation center (BICs) has caused the community transmission in the barangays.
He said in a virtual presser with Presidential spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque, on June 30, 2020, that the BICs are situated in the public schools in the barangays, which are often located at the center of the barangay causing easy transmission to the residents.
“Naghanap ako ng mga ibang structures/facilities na pwedeng paglagyan ng ating mga isolation cases. Kasi ang isolation buildings nila dito, karamihan ang mga eskwelahan. Ito ang ginamit nilang isolations centers. Itong mga eskwelahan naman nasa gitna ng barangay ito so sinu-suspect ko talaga na dito nanggaling yung pagkalat ng sakit sa mga barangays.
“Ang aking pinaplano ay ilabas ito out of the barangays. Naghanap ako ng medyo malayo-layo, malapit sa dagat,” said Cimatu.
This quarantine center would be the New Normal Oasis for Adaptation and a Home (NOAH) Complex, which was inaugurated on June 6, 2020 and is now currently functional with at least 200-bed capacity.
Read: Cebu City’s NOAH Complex officially unveiled
Cimatu is hoping that the patients will be transferred to this quarantine facility so they will no longer have a chance to infect the rest of the residents.
ECQ extension
The environment secretary also said he is recommending an extension of the ECQ as the protocols have been set in place now, and should be continued in the next few weeks.
He is very concerned with the rising deaths in the city that has now reached 169 as of June 29, 2020.
For this reason, the strict protocols should remain. The people should also remain in the city even those locally stranded individuals (LSIs).
Cebu City spokesperson Rey Gealon said that should the ECQ be extended, the city is prepared to provide aid to the residents such as additional relief and assistance.
Furthermore, the city is also positive that the national government will be sending help to the city should it remain under the ECQ.
Gealon said that the national government has sent personal protective equipment (PPEs), deployed more medical professionals and police, and even sent relief supplies to the city amidst the ECQ.
He said the city can expect the same if another ECQ will be placed from July 1, 2020 to July 15, 2020.
“So far, the national government has been supportive to the city amidst the pandemic. We can always expect their support,” he said.
Gealon said that the city should also do its part, and he urged the residents to follow the stay-at-home policy, practice social distancing, wearing of masks, and proper hygiene to keep the virus at bay. /bmjo
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