CITING the forecasts of disease surveillance platform Fasster, the Department of Health (DOH) said active cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) are seen to be higher under less stringent quarantine restrictions.

Were the NCR to remain under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for two more weeks and maintain PDITR implementation, vaccination pace and compliance to health standards, the active coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the capital region would reach 66,403 by August 31 and 269,694 by September 30.

With the NCR shifting to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until August 31 while intensifying compliance to health standards, vaccinations and implementation of the PDITR strategies, the Fasster projection is that there will be 83,921 active cases by August 31, but fewer active cases at 158,489 by September 30.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the shift to MECQ does not mean lifting of restrictions, but requires focusing on targeted restrictions, monitoring granular lockdowns and specific high-risk activities

On late Thursday, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) placed the NCR under MECQ for August 21 to 31, 2021.

The NCR was under ECQ on August 6 to 20.

As of August 19, the National Capital Region has a total of 32,039 active Covid-19 cases.

The DOH said there is a need for the public to adhere to the minimum public health standards, such as wearing ov face masks, washing of hands, observing physical distancing, ensuring proper ventilation whenever indoors, maintaining good personal hygiene and clean spaces, and getting vaccinated when eligible. (HDT / PR)