BACOLOD CITY - Five more patients were added to the list of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) deaths here since the weekend, bringing the total to 13, as of August 10.
This was confirmed to The Manila Bulletin on Tuesday by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who also chairs the Bacolod Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19.
Familiaran said the five fatalities were a call center agent, a resident of Barangay Banago, a resident of Barangay Estefania, the mother of the first city government employee-fatality, and another city government employee.
On Monday, Mayor Evelio Leonardia confirmed the death of the second government employee due to COVID-19.
He was a colleague of the first government employee-fatality from the Land Tax Division.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share with you news of the passing of yet another city government employee today (August 10)," he said.
As of the present, a total of six employees from the Land Tax Division have tested positive, with four of them being asymptomatic.
As of August 9, Bacolod has 378 COVID-19 cases.
Leonardia conferred with Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, City Administrator Em Ang, City Health Officer Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, and other government officials to address this unfortunate turn of events.
Thus, upon the recommendation of these city officials, he ordered the immediate and temporary closure of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) starting August 10 until August 16, or for a minimum period of seven days, subject to further evaluation.
The mayor said this was meant to allow the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) personnel to decontaminate or disinfect the building, and its surroundings.
However, in order not to hamper emergency and social welfare services of the city, he ordered the City Health Office, DRRMO and the Department of Social Services and Development to continue operating outside the BCGC in other locations.
The general public may reach the City Mayor’s Office at the Bacolod City Public Plaza Office where it shall temporarily hold office, while the City Administrator’s Office shall be at the Tourism Satellite Office/Bayanihan Center along Rizal Street (near SM City Bacolod).
As the city is intensifying its efforts in this battle against COVID-19, Leonardia implored everyone to do their share by cooperating with authorities, and follow the minimum health protocols set by the national and local governments.
“Our individual acts definitely count in this fight,” he added.