By Analou De Vera
The Department of Health (DOH) said on Saturday that the imposition of a lockdown on a village in Cebu City is necessary to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease transmission there.
Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire (PNA)
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire was referring to Sitio Zapatera in Barangay Luz, Cebu City.
“Sila ay inilagay sa lockdown upang masiguro na maliit ang chances na kumalat ito. Dahil dito ay nanawagan kami sa mga residente na manatili sa bahay sa loob ng 14 days,” she said in a press briefing.
Vergeire said they are now preparing possible isolation or quarantine facilities in the area.
"Patuloy ang paghahanda ng mga community quarantine facilities sa lugar, kagaya ng Barrio Luz National High School, upang doon ma-isolate ang mga mild o asymptomatic na pasyente," Vergeire said.
(We continue to prepare community quarantine facilities in the area, like the Barrio Luz National High School, to isolate those with mild or asymptomatic patients there.)
Vergeire assured the residents that the mass testing will be conducted in the area.
“Patuloy din po ang expanded testing sa nasabing lugar….upang ating mabantayan ang COVID-19 sa lugar,” she said.
(Our expanded testing will be continued in the area to monitor the transmission of COVID-19 in the area.)
“Kaakibat din po nito ang pagsasagawa ng contact tracing upang ma-monitor ang mga taong nakasalamuha ng mga confirmed cases."
(We are also conducting contact tracing to monitor those individuals who have interacted with the confirmed cases.)
Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella reported that the total number of cases in Sitio Zapatera has reached 135 as of April 17.