ANGELES CITY – Fourth week into the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), most Kapampangans support the possible extension of the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus or CAVID-19 which already infected more than 3,200 Filipinos.
In a survey conducted by iOrbitNews, 82 percent or 1,722 of some 2,100 respondents favored the extension of the quarantine which started last March 16 and set to end on April 14. The rest aired their opposition to the lockdown extension.
Pampanga province posted some 15,968 Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs), 11, 241 of which have already completed a 14-day quarantine while some 4,727 are being monitored daily.
The province also reported 161 Persons Under Investigation (PUIs), 7 of which already died, 55 discharged and 84 with mild symptoms already sent home. 24 confirmed cases had been identified, 6 of which have already died. Earlier, Malacanang said President Rodrigo Duterte will decide on the possible two-week extension of the ECQ “in due time.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said lifting the quarantine could be “premature” at this point in time.
Malacanang is awaiting the “emerging consensus” from medical experts, businessmen, government officials, and others to decide on the extension of ECQ.
The President recognizes that lifting the quarantine as scheduled on April 12 “might wipe out the gains we have so far achieved in containing the virus,” according to Panelo.
“The President is all ears and eyes on this unfolding reality and expert opinions.
He is evaluating the best option to take that will effectively ensure the success of our war against this wily and faceless global enemy.
He will make his decision in due time,” he said.
“In the meantime, we call on our countrymen to be steadfast in our commitment to take care of each other in this imminent threat to our nation’s survival.”