Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso announced on Wednesday that the number of COVID-19 cases in the capital city have reached a 'plateau.'
Domagoso shared a graph during an online forum, showing that the number of COVID-19 recoveries in the city spiked in June.
Out of Manila's 9,058 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 880 are active cases, 7,827 have recovered, and 351 died, according to data from the city government as of Tuesday.
"Natutuwa kami na nagkakaroon ng epekto ang aming simpleng aksyon (We are happy that our simple actions are effective), in our own little way," he said.
He attributed the downturn of COVID-19 cases in the city to its frontline health workers and its residents.
"I attribute it to our medical frontliners, medical institution, and the residents of Manila," he said.
"Behavioral ito, eh. 'Yun ang mahirap, eh, how to change the mindset of people to do differently... 'yung habits nila. I attribute it to the people. Malaki ang partisipasyon ng tao (This is behavioral. That's the hard part, how to change the mindset of people to change their habits. I attribute it to the people. The people’s participation is a big factor)," he added.
However, the Manila mayor maintained danger still lurks in the country's capital.
"Ako, I always value life. Every single life that you can save... While we are flattening the curve, in my personal opinion, there is still danger in Manila. Because one case is dangerous, more than one case is even more dangerous," he said.
Meanwhile, another COVID-19 testing laboratory will soon be built in Manila to address the future demand for COVID-19 testing as the Christmas season nears, Domagoso bared.
The city's first COVID-19 testing labotatory, where swab tests are conducted, is at Sta. Ana Hospital.
It also has two drive-thru testing centers at Quirino Grandstand and in front of the Andres Bonifacio Monument, and at least three walk-in testing centers at Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Ospital ng Sampaloc, and Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital. Serology testing is used in these facilities.
Two mobile serology testing clinics also conduct tests in two barangays per day.
The local chief executive said they will continue to offer free testing to everyone in line with its inclusive approach against COVID-19.