A residential community in Barangay Tunasan in Muntinlupa has been placed under granular lockdown due to an alarming rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.

Based on the recommendation of the City Health Office (CHO), Mayor Jaime Fresnedi ordered a 15-day Extreme Localized Community Quarantine (ELCQ) in Unira Compound, Sto. Niño in Tunasan starting at noon on Aug. 29 until noon of Sept. 13.

The Unira Compound is the 11th community in Muntinlupa to be placed under granular lockdown in three weeks since Aug. 10.

According to the CHO, there is clustering of COVID-19 cases in the community with a high attack rate of 301.50 per 10,000 population and a narrow doubling time of three days. To date, there are six active cases in the compound.

Unira Compound is a residential area with 199 residents and has high risk groups including eight senior citizens, four persons with disability (PWD), one pregnant woman and 21 children aged less than five years old.

Mass swab testing will be conducted in the compound while Muntinlupa police will enforce total lockdown measures. The City Social Service Department and barangay will distribute food packs and other basic items to the affected residents during the lockdown.

On Aug. 28, the city government put Dizon Compound, Number 22, St. Bernard Street, San Jose Village in Brgy. Cupang under granular lockdown, which will be in effect until Sept. 12.

Other areas in Muntinlupa under ELCQ are Mahogany Street and Kamagong Street in Villa Carolina 2 Subdivision, Brgy. Tunasan from Aug. 24 to Sept. 8; Building 2, BLISS Complex, Brgy. Putatan from Aug. 23 to Sept. 7; Building 17 at Filinvest Socialized Housing, Brgy. Alabang from Aug. 19 to Sept. 2; and Angelo, Horilleno, Endencia, Paredes, and Barrera Streets in Katarungan Village 1, Brgy. Poblacion from Aug. 19 to Sept. 2.

The ECLQ in the following areas was lifted: Purok 3, Molera Compound in Brgy. Sucat and Purok 7, Beatriz Compound, De Mesa L & B Street in Brgy. Alabang, which was on lockdown from Aug. 6 to 27; Block 8, Hills View and Mangga Street, Lakeview Homes in Brgy. Putatan from Aug. 12 to 26; and Chico Street, Laguerta in Brgy. Tunasan from Aug. 10 to 25.

As of Aug. 28, Muntinlupa has 2,492 active COVID-19 cases out of 19,424 confirmed cases, 16,497 recoveries and 435 deaths.

Fresnedi reminded residents to take extra caution amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Muntinlupa.

“Muntinlupeño, there’s a protector in all of us. Let’s all do our part. Lumabas lamang kung talagang kinakailangan. At kung may lumalabas man sa kasama natin sa bahay, mas mabuting mag-mask kahit nasa loob ng tahanan at iwasan muna ang kumain nang sabay-sabay. Dagdagan natin ang pag-iingat dahil walang pinipili ang virus—kamag-anak man, kaibigan o kakilala, ” he said.

He also reminded vaccinated individuals that they can still get infected with COVID-19.

“Paalala naman sa mga bakunado na: Bagamat may dulot na proteksyon ang bakuna mula sa malalang pagkakasakit, pwede ka pa ring maging carrier ng virus at makahawa ng iba,” he added.