Cebu City to be under lockdown again?
CEBU CITY — A lockdown may be imposed here again after a slight increase in new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were recorded in the past three days, the chief of the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said Thursday.
City Councilor Joel Garganera said that from Nov. 9 to 11, there were more new cases than recoveries which may lead to another lockdown before the month ends.
“If this trend will continue, then it’s not isolated and that before the end of the month, we will lock down,” Garganera said.
The city recorded 13 new cases last Tuesday and another 28 last Wednesday, increasing the active cases to 131 as of Thursday.
“This data serves as a warning. Our government, the police, the barangays, and frontliners can only do so much. We need the cooperation of the entire populace. If other first world countries, with much superior health services, experienced second wave, lockdowns, how much more us. What good will be our gains if the few continue to violate our health protocols,” Garganera said.
The councilor lamented that mass gatherings have also become common in the past few days even if the city remains under general community quarantine.
Garganera said the EOC has received reports that some people are renting houses as venues for parties.
“People tend to relax. There were mass gatherings and parties. Some people are renting houses or these Airbnb and hold parties there,” said Garganera.
“This is very alarming. If the cases continue to increase we might implement a lockdown. This is a warning because a lot are no longer complying with the health protocols,” said Garganera.
Garganera said the EOC will be meeting with the police so that stricter implementation of health protocols will be imposed.
“Though the positivity rate is way below the WHO (World Health Organization) threshold which is five percent but if people tend to be not mindful of the health protocols, we will be surprised that we will celebrate Christmas under ECQ (enhanced community quarantine).