[ad_1]
CITY OF CEBU – Officials here were mulling over putting this city under another strict lockdown if new cases of the coronavirus disease continue to rise in the coming weeks.
Councilman Joel Garganera, deputy director of implementation for the Cebu City Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said they were concerned that the number of daily virus cases in the city had risen again.
From a single-digit or no case recorded during daily counts in recent weeks, the number of new cases in the city rose to 13 on Tuesday, 28 on Wednesday, and 10 on Thursday, raising active cases in the city. city to 196.
Garganera also noted that there were more new infections than recoveries in the past seven days.
“These data serve as a warning. Our government, the police, the barangays, and the avant-garde cannot do much. We need the cooperation of the entire population, ”Garganera said on Friday.
“If other First World countries, with far superior health services, experienced a second wave and blockages, how much more would we? What good will our profits be if a few continue to violate our health protocols, “he added.
Garganera said the EOC would meet with local police to have the latter strictly enforce health protocols such as wearing masks and face shields, physical distancing and staying indoors when there is nothing important to do outside.
Alarming trend
He said that if city residents continue to ignore health protocols, they could celebrate Christmas under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the strictest form of lockdown imposed by the government.
So far, no town in the country is currently under ECQ, which requires businesses to close temporarily and limits the movement of people.
According to his follow-up, Garganera said that several people had defied the ban on mass gatherings, and some even rented houses where they held parties.
“People tend to relax. This is very alarming. If this trend continues, then it is not (unreasonable) that before the end of the month we will be under lockdown again, ”said Garganera.
“This is a warning because many no longer comply with health protocols,” he added.
On June 16, Cebu City was placed under ECQ due to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, as well as the problem of providing critical medical assistance to patients.
Camp Crame even sent 160 elite Special Action Force police officers and additional police from other regions to the city to strictly enforce health measures.
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu was also appointed by President Duterte to oversee the government’s response to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the province and city of Cebu.
It took about two months before the city was downgraded to Modified General Community Quarantine, the most relaxed form of community quarantine. —ADOR VINCENT MAYOL
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
