By Calvin Cordova CEBU CITY – The number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the city inched closer to the 4,000-mark after more than 200 new cases were added in the first day that the city reverted to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) last Tuesday. In the data issued by the City Health Department last Tuesday night, the city logged 203 new cases, increasing the total number to 3,814. Of the total, 1,851 were active cases. There were also two new deaths, and 50 recoveries. Overall, the city already has 41 COVID-19-related deaths and 1,924 recoveries. The more than 200 new cases came on a day that mayor Edgardo Labella insisted that the city is qualified to be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) instead of ECQ. “Up to this day, I still believe a GCQ is justified. The data I see do not warrant restrictions set forth by an ECQ. We have the lowest percentage of COVID related deaths among major cities in the country, and one of three LGUs to have completed a prevalence survey through serological testing. Our decisions have always been based on hard data because we have them,” Labella said in a press briefing Tuesday. Labella said he will appeal to the Inter-Agency Task Force to reconsider the decision placing Cebu under ECQ. “But if they still see that an ECQ is best for our beloved city, as a public servant, I will humbly accept the decision of the IATF and the President,” said Labella. Labella added that “we have been prepared to fight this battle but we can only be as prepared as an army battling an invisible enemy.” Labella yesterday issued Executive Order No. 82 “setting forth the policies and regulations in effect during the ECQ period up to June 30.” Aside from asking the public to “stay home, wear masks, follow safety protocols,” the mayor tasked barangay officials to strictly implement quarantine rules. “I command every barangay official to strictly enforce the wearing of masks and social distancing. I will not hesitate to sanction barangay officials that fail to enforce protocols. I will instill discipline in the community as any diligent father should,” Labella said. READ MORE: Duterte keeps Metro Manila under GCQ; Cebu City reverts to ECQ