IATF extends GCQ in 34 CamSur towns

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

The Bicol Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) under its Resolution No. 2021-012 has approved the request of Gov. Miguel Villafuerte to extend the general community quarantine (GCQ) status of 34 towns in Camarines Sur from July 1-15 this year.

Earlier, Villafuerte issued Executive Order (EO) No.7, series of 2021, placing under GCQ 34 towns in the province and impositing stricter measures and protocols for minimal risk, low risk, moderate and high-risk municipalities.

The municipality of Lupi replaced Balatan and Sagñay under the high risk category when GCQ was first imposed from June 18 to 30.

Included in the moderate risk classification are 15 towns that include: Baao; Buhi; Cabusao; Canaman; Caramoan; Del Gallego; Gainza; Libmanan; Milaor; Ocampo; Pamplona; Pili; Presentacion; San Fernando; and Iriga City.

The municipalities of Balatan, Bato, Bombon, Bula, Calabanga, Camaligan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Magarao, Nabua, Pasacao, Ragay, Sagñay, San Jose, Sipocot, Siruma, Tigaon, and Tinambac are placed under low risk category.

Except for the Minalabac town which is placed under MGCQ, the rest of the towns are under GCQ from July 1-15.

Minalabac was classified as minimal risk replacing Gainza, Libmanan, Lupi, and Del Gallego, which now belong to higher categories due to increase of Covid-19 cases in the past two weeks.

Villafuerte in EO 7 cited the fluctuating incidence rate of Covid-19 cases in the province and the need to execute the necessary health measures and protocols to lower, if not totally stop the further spread of the virus, especially with the identification of numerous variants which are more fatal.

Reports said that the Covid-19 ICU beds of the Bicol Medical Center are fully occupied. Health authorities in the province urged everyone to strictly follow the required health protocols like wearing of face masks, washing of hands and social distancing.

For the last six days, Camarines Sur recorded the following Covid-19 cases: July 1 - 26; July 2 - 29; July 3 - 30; July 4 – 46; July 5 – 29; and July 6 - 41. (PIAV/Camarines Sur)