President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Davao City back under general community quarantine until November 30, imposing stricter restrictions to address its recent spike in infections, Malacañang said Friday.
A 63% increase in coronavirus cases in the city was observed in just a week, National COVID-19 task force chief implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. reported.
“Ito po ay nakita po namin na talagang dapat iakyat ang restriction [We saw that we really need to raise the restrictions there],” Galvez said.
IATF Deputy Chief Implementer Melquiades Feliciano, who will head the Coordinated Operations to Defeat the Epidemic or CODE teams to be deployed in Davao, said the current COVID-19 situation in the city is already reaching its peak.
Feliciano said they will be heading to Davao on Monday for an initial assessment of actions to be taken. This will include gathering of the necessary data from existing emergency operation center and doctors’ organizations in the city for a data-driven plan.
A One Hospital Command Center will be set up in Davao City for better coordination on where to send COVID-19 patients, while additional nurses will be deployed to man health facilities.
Davao City was previously under modified general community quarantine.
The IATF assured that a consultation with Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte about quarantine adjustments was made before the decision.
