The implementation of month-long enhanced community quarantine in Luzon has helped the government prevent the further transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the country, Malacañang said on Sunday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo believed that Covid-19 cases in the country would have increased further had President Rodrigo failed to impose a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

Panelo issued the statement after he learned that some critics claimed that the latest number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country shows that enhanced community quarantine is “ineffective in flattening the curve.”

“We beg to disagree,” he said in a press statement. “Had the enhanced community quarantine or partial lockdown not been imposed, the number of the Covid-19 cases could have been staggering.”

The Philippines now has 1,418 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 71 deaths and 42 recoveries.

Panelo said there were a few reported confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the past two weeks due to a lack of testing kits to detect the infectious disease.

“As the manufacture and supply of testing kits become available, plus the establishment of additional Covid-19 testing centers, there are more people being tested now than before, necessarily the hitherto unknown cases of Covid-19 have surfaced hence the galloping increase in number,” he said.

Panelo reassured the public that the government is doing everything to address the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

He stressed that placing Luzon under enhanced community quarantine until April 12 was necessary to stop the spread of Covid-19.

“With unrestricted movement of the population, with each individual being a potential carrier, the coronavirus would have an untrammeled leap-frogging from one person to another,” Panelo said.

Panelo also guaranteed that health workers would receive additional personal protective equipment like surgical masks, head gears, face shields, goggles, gloves, protective gowns and foot covers to protect them against Covid-19.

He added that the government will be receiving more medical supplies, alcohol, soap and other health items from various donors, individuals and private entities.

“The Bayanihan spirit has caught fire and everyone is chipping in a united front against this unseen deadly enemy,” Panelo said.

Panelo reminded the public anew to stay at home and continue strictly observing the protocols imposed by the national government.

He said everyone should always practice proper hygiene and social distancing.

“In that way we prevent the virus from spreading and therefore protecting ourselves, our family members, our neighbors, our friends, and our country in the process,” Panelo said.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported 343 new confirmed Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 1,418.

The DOH also reported seven new recoveries, bringing the total number of recovered cases in the country to 42 while death toll increased to 71. (PNA)