REVERSION TO ECQ INEVITABLE 

GOVERNOR Amado Espino III has warned that if the continuous rise of COVID-19 cases is not substantially addressed, the provincial government will be constrained to apply for a higher classification of community quarantine before the IATF.

He said the only way to avoid being reverted back to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) status is for all mayors to strictly enforce and implement health and safety protocols in their respective areas.

In his Letter Circular No. 2921-0005, Espino reminded the town executives of the dire consequences reverting back to ECQ, particularly limiting movements of their constituents including restricted to their respective homes.

Pangasinan is presently under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) that allows essential industries and business sectors , including  inter-provincial transport  to reopen and operate.

In his circular, the governor cited the continuous alarming rise in the number of cases after the holidays, i.e., on January 10 alone, the province recorded 75 positive cases, the highest since the start of the year, adding that the daily average increase recently is already close to that number.

He urged mayors to see to the compliance with the minimum health standard promulgated by the IATF as well as the Department of Health: wear face mask and face shields, frequent  washing of hands with soap and water, maintain social distancing and to boost one’s natural immune system.

He said earlier efforts proved that through close cooperation and unity, the province slowed down the spike in cases “so there is no reason why it can’t be done again.”

So far, based on the COVID-19 status in the country (as of January 18), Pangasinan (including Dagupan City) is the 13^th  highest number of cases from the 14 most populous provinces in the country.

Pangasinan, with a population of 2.9 million, recorded 3,578 COVID-19 cases since the contagion began compared to Cebu with 4.6-M population (including cities of Cebu City, Lapu lapu and Mandaue) has the highest with 25,416 cases.

Cavite (3.6 million population) accounted for 24,086 cases; Laguna (3.03-M) with 23,806 cases, Rizal (2.8-M) with 20,480 cases, and Bulacan (3.2-M) with 14,616 cases.

Others: Batangas (pop. 2.6-M), 13,457 cases; Negros Occidental (3.05-M), 12,554; Davao del Sur, 2.2 million, 11,883 cases; Iloilo (2.3-M), 8,568 cases; Pampanga (including Angeles (2.6 million), 8,670; Quezon (2.1-M), 7,481 cases; and Leyte (1.9-M), 5.673 cases. Nueva Ecija (2.1-M) trails Pangasinan with 2,442 cases. (Leonardo Micua)

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