ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Saturday, September 11, again reminded the city’s residents to always strictly observe the minimum health protocols, especially in public places, amid the ongoing pandemic.
As of September 10, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) data tracker showed that the city's active cases climbed to 599, steadily increasing from only 211 on September 1.
Salazar noted that 584 of the 599 active cases, representing 97.49 percent, were acquired through community transmission.
The remaining 15 consisted of 11 authorized persons outside residence (APORs), two personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, a detainee, and a person deprived of liberty.
“I remind everyone about the regulations and protocols that should be complied (with) during Saturdays and Sunday(s) amid the pandemic that affects not only this city but also the entire country and (the) world,” Salazar said.
The local Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has put Zamboanga City under general community quarantine until September 30 and bans the operation of all types of resorts during Saturdays and Sundays to curb the spread of the virus.
The implementation of the Sunday Lockdown has also been extended amid the threats posed by variants of concern.
Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, city health officer, attributed the hike in COVID-19 cases to the presence of variants of concern, including the highly transmissible Delta variant.
The other variants of concern are the Alpha and Beta.
Meanwhile, this city registered 11,970 recoveries as of September 11, or 90.63 percent of its 13,207 confirmed cases. Its active cases stand at 599 and deaths at 638.