By Jhon Aldrin Casinas
Another barangay in Mandaluyong City is set to be placed under lockdown, as the week-long “total lockdown” in some portions of Barangay Addition Hills began on Thursday.
The Mandaluyong City government said the City Health Department and the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) recommended to impose a “total lockdown” in Barangay Mauway due to the high number of residents with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Barangay Mauway is expected to be placed under a total lockdown in the coming days,” the City Public Information Office said in its official Facebook page.
The local government has yet to announce the date and guidelines for the implementation of the lockdown in Barangay Mauway.
According to the City Health Department, Barangay Mauway has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Mandaluyong with 62 confirmed cases, three deaths, and 22 recoveries as of May 6.
The Barangay Addition Hills followed Mauway with 58 confirmed COVID-19 cases, six deaths, and 12 recoveries.
Through an Executive Order, Mayor Carmelita Abalos placed the entire Welfareville Compound in Barangay Addition Hills under “total lockdown” starting midnight of May 7 until May 13 because of the high number of COVID-19 cases in the area.
Barangay Addition Hills Chairman Carlito Cernal said Thursday they have completed the distribution of food packs to residents of the barangay on Wednesday night, before the lockdown took effect.
“There were no more people roaming around the streets and alleyways as the police are already on guard,” Cernal told the Manila Bulletin in a phone interview.
During the lockdown period, the local government prohibited residents of the select areas in the barangay from leaving their homes unless for emergency reasons only.
All establishments, including public markets and stores, were also ordered closed.
The local government earlier said they would distribute food packs to residents forced to stay in their homes because of the lockdown.
Only those essential workers, frontline personnel and other authorized individuals were allowed to go in or out of the area during the lockdown period.
The village chief said the rapid mass testing of frontline personnel of the barangay was ongoing. He said vendors in public markets together with 3,000 residents will be tested for COVID-19.
There are now 430 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mandaluyong City with 36 deaths and 98 recoveries as of May 6, the City Health Department said.