ILOILO City – Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in this southern city this month rose by more than half of the infections logged last month.
The city recorded 386 cases from March 1 to 25 – a 56.91-percent increase from the 246 cases reported in the same period in February, data from the City Health Office – City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CHO-CESU) showed.
There was also a 50 percent increase in the average daily cases, with the city recording 15 this month from the 10 daily average cases in February.
Barangay Bolilao in Madurriao district topped all city villages with the most number of total infections at 50. It was followed by Magdalo, La Paz (28); South Fundidor, Molo (15); San Isidro, Jaro (14); Tabuc Suba, Jaro (11); and Sto. Niño Sur, Arevalo (10).
Other cases were from Cubay (Jaro), Calaparan (Arevalo), Mabolo-Delgado (City Proper), and Quintin Salas (Jaro) with eight cases each; Magsaysay (City Proper), Veterans (City Proper), Balabago (Jaro), Buhang (Jaro), and Lopez Jaena (Norte) with seven cases each; Balantang (Jaro), Calumpang (Molo), Oñate de Leon and Q. Abeto (Mandurriao) with six each; and Bo. Obrero and Don Esteban (Lapuz), Lopez Jaena Sur (La Paz), and MV Hechanova (Jaro) with five cases each.
Since Jan. 1, 2021, Barangay Bolilao had the highest number of infections with 53, followed by Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro with 40 and Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro with 35.
CITY STILL UNDER MGCQ
This southern city remains under modified community quarantine (MGCQ) status, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The city mayor said this was confirmed by the Department of Interior and Local Government, and upon consultation with the Iloilo City COVID-19 Team, “the city will no longer make an appeal.”
The city mayor stressed that the fight against the virus may be tiring – it’s been a year already – but not the city government is not helpless. He cited the support from various sectors.
The Iloilo City COVID Team’s composition also expanded and now includes all district health officers.
Nevertheless, Treñas reiterated his appeal to the public to follow minimum health standards against COVID-19 such as wearing of face shield and facemask, hand washing and physical distancing.
The mayor is also hopeful that with the arrival of vaccines, everything will eventually return to normal./PN
