Galvez blames inefficient home quarantine for surge in COVID-19 cases in Cebu City

July 2, 2020

National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday blamed the wrong enforcement of home quarantine for the surge of coronavirus cases in Cebu City.

In a virtual press briefing, the official, who visited Cebu, also cited weak contact tracing of possible infected individuals.

"We're seeing that the implementation of home quarantine of 1,900 (individuals) was wrong. If we have home quarantine, we can't control or totally isolate those what we called as COVID cases," he said.

As to contact tracing, Galvez said it was only at 30 percent, which means those who are infected could not immediately be isolated.

The official also noted the "psychological stigma" being experienced by those who have contact or exposure with coronavirus patients.

"That means a person who has contact (with COVID-19 patient) does now want to talk because he did not want to have COVID case as discrimination is strong," he said.

Galvez said there are also areas in Cebu City which are densely populated, thus, people found hard time to observe social distancing.

He also cited that Cebu has only four big civilian hospitals and only seven level 3 hospitals.

"Cebu is geographically challenged because it is the hub, center hub and people really converge here," he added.

The national government has extended the enhanced community quarantine in Cebu City due to high number of COVID-19 cases and insufficient health care facilities. Celerina Monte/DMS