Ilocos Sur anticipates possible ECQ status

BAGUIO CITY (September 18, 2021)— Ilocos Sur residents are being urged by their respective local government units (LGUs) to prepare for the possible imposition of an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the whole province.

In an announcement by Sta. Catalina town officials,  people are told to anticipate the ECQ status as the number of COVID-19 continue to rise. “Iyur-uray laengen ti Executive Order nga aggapu Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur”, (We are awaiting the executive order from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur) the municipal government said.

San Juan town Mayor Ma. Elaine A. Sarmiento in an advisory to her constituents stated that the imposition of more stringent measures to stop  the surge of cases was considered upon the request of the medical community of Ilocos Sur during the recent Provincial Inter Agency Task Force  (IATF) meeting.

“It is believed that a 2-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status of the province will slow down community transmission,” the mayor revealed.  Sarmiento admitted the difficulties  of a more stringent quarantine status and she explained that the continuing rise of cases in the localities, they as local leaders should concede  with the advice of our medical experts.

She stressed that health workers are already exhausted and there is really a need to take aggressive steps  to somehow stop the  transmission of the virus. Sarmiento said this is to give some time for the health workers to take a break and the health sector to reorganize and  improve service delivery systems.

“We beg for your cooperation Kailians (townmates) to stay safe, keep calm and  be prepared while we wait for the official declaration from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur,” Sarmiento ended.

Artemio A. Dumlao