The Bacoor City government said it is facing problems with isolation facilities which are now almost full due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

In an interview with DZMM, Mayor Lani Mercado said the city has logged 494 cases from March 1 to March 16.

The city is also averaging 32 cases per day, according to the mayor.

Mercado said most of the city’s designated isolation facilities, including the one at the Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital, are already getting filled up with patients.

“Punuan po tayo ngayon. Nag reactivate na po kami ng isolation centers. Kami dito sa Bacoor nagbukas po kami ng dalawa bilang tugon na din ho natin sa ating mga kababayan (We’re already almost full. We already reactivated isolation centers. Here in Bacoor, we already opened two isolation facilities to help our residents),” Mercado said.

“Problema po talaga namin ang isolation areas. Napakahirap po mag-isolate dahil punuan na (Our problem is the isolation areas. It’s difficult to isolate because most of the facilities are already full),” she added.

Asked about the possible reason for the high number of cases in Bacoor, Mercado said most of the residents are working in Metro Manila.

“Yung virus na galing sa Metro Manila, naibabalik dito nila sa atin, sa mga tahanan (Workers are bringing the virus from Metro Manila here and into their homes),” she said.

The mayor also said “contamination” within homes is happening faster and is worse this time compared to last year.

Mercado, meanwhile, said the city has banned mass gatherings to avoid the further spread of the virus.

She also encouraged the public to observe Holy Week traditions virtually.