DAVAO CITY - The municipality of Cateel in Davao de Oriental province will be implementing intensified restrictions on the movements of residents in the following days due to the increase in the number of active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The Provincial Government of Davao Oriental, in a statement on Tuesday, said the restrictions will be implemented from 10 to 14 days.
“Base sa datos, nisaka sa 20 ang aktibong kaso sa COVID-19 sa munisipyo sa Cateel sulod lamang duha ka adlaw gikan niadtong November 21, 2020 (Based on data, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Cateel increased to 20 in a span of just two days since November 21),” it said.
The Municipal Health Office of Cateel said there are 16 active cases remaining in the municipality as of Tuesday, November 24. Thirteen of these are under monitoring at the Cateel Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility, including the most recent case of a 41-year-old man who had close contact with a COVID-19 patient. He underwent swab testing last November 19 and is symptomatic.
Meanwhile, three patients are admitted in various referral hospitals.
The provincial government said the increasing number of cases has resulted in the increased number of those who were in close contact with the patients, including suspect case and probable cases.
“Ang mga nag positibo gikan pa sa nagkalain-laing barangay - hinungdan nga gikinahanglan na nga magplastar ug intensified restrictions pinaagi sa zoning containment (Those who tested positive came from different barangays, hence, there is a need to implement intensified restrictions through zoning containment),” it added.
The intensified restrictions will allow authorities to speed up the conduct of contact tracing.
Residents and those coming in to the municipality can expect to see several checkpoints in the town’s entry and exit points. Movements going in and out of town will also be limited.
“Ang mga awtorisadong mga residente lamang ang tugutan makalabas sa ilang panimalay, lakip na ang katong nanginahanglan ug atensyong medikal ug ang kinahanglang mulabas tungod sa emergency (Only authorized residents will be allowed to go out of their homes, including those needing emergency medical attention),” it said.
The provincial government unit also advised the public to avoid traveling to the municipality for non-essential activities, especially leisure activities. Cateel is popular among travelers for its tourist attractions including the Aliwagwag waterfalls. Based on the Department of Health’s COVID-19 Regional Case Bulletin, as of November 24, Davao Oriental has recorded a total of 418 cases, 379 recoveries, and five deaths. The province currently has 34 active cases.