Ilocos Norte placed on localized MECQ

July 31, 2021 Provincial

Ilocos Norte Governor Mathew Manotoc is placing the whole province on localized modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
Via executive order 142-21, the localized MECQ status will take in effect Thursday, while awaiting the approval of the request to place the province under MECQ by the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectios Diseases (IATFMEID).
Manotoc cited the Average Daily Attack Rate (ADAR) and the two-week growth rate of Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) as reason to classify the province under MECQ.
As of 10:00 PM of July 28, 2021, Ilocos Norte 297 new cases of Covid infections. The province now still has 2718 active cases from the total cases of 7348. Ilocos Norte also listed a total of 4515 recoveries and 115 Covid-related deaths. The provincial government also confirmed the presence of a patient infected with the Delta variant of the virus.
The patient is a native of Cavite and currently residing in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. Manotoc said that there is an immediate need for the establishment of interim guidelines in anticipation of the IATF approved MECQ, while reminding Ilocos Norte residents to avoid closed spaces and those with poor ventilation, crowded places and close contacts.
The EO mandates that the movement of people will be regulated and are strongly advised to refrain from going out from their homes, unless necessary like medical exigencies.
Artemio Dumlao/ABN