‘Hotspots’ assessed

CEBU, Philippines —  Barangays Luz, Bacayan, Carreta, Sawang Calero, Suba, Tejero, Labangon, and Mambaling remain on enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) even as the city and the rest of Cebu have transitioned to GCQ on June 1, 2020.

Four areas – sitio Zapatera in Barangay Luz and Barangays Mambaling, Bacayan, and Tejero – are still on lockdown and the city is assessing the situations there.

When can a lockdown be lifted?

City Legal Officer Rey Gealon said it will depend on the recommendation of the City Health Department (CHD) after assessment show that the number of COVID-19 positive cases in the area has lowered.

The CHD recommendation will be sent to the Incident Command System (ICS), which will come up with a resolution requesting the mayor to lift the lockdown. The mayor will then issue a memorandum to lift the lockdown.

Gealon said Labella asked the city’s medical personnel to focus on the areas on lockdown.

"Atong ipasabot ngadto sa atong mga concerned officials ug ang mga molupyo diha sa mao nga areas nga karong adlawa, more than any day, gipasiguro gyud na nga i-assess fully ang mga lockdown areas," Gealon said yesterday.

(We will explain to the officials concerned and residents of these areas that today, more than any day, we’re making sure that we are assessing the areas on lockdown fully.)

"Kay sa higayon nga makapasar sila sa barometro nga gamay nalang ang nag-positive, daghan na ang naka-recover, i-lift ang maong lockdown areas," he added.

(Once assessment show that the number of COVID-19 positive patients have lowered and many have recovered, we will lift the lockdown in these areas.)

Labella, for his part, said he is ready to sign a recommendation.

"Maghuwat nalang ko sa usa ka recommendation then atong pirmahan," Labella also said yesterday.

(I will wait for a recommendation and then I will sign.)

Gealon said the city government wants to ensure that the area is safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"Expected in the coming days ma-lift ang mao nga lockdown areas," Gealon said.

(We can expect that the lockdown in these areas will be lifted in the coming days.)

As of yesterday, Cebu City has a total of 2,408 cases, of which 1,129 are classified as active cases.

Yesterday, 165 more residents have recovered from the disease, bringing the total recoveries to 1,160 recoveries.

Most of those who have recovered, 139 residents, are from Barangay Mambaling. Others who have recovered are from Barangay Sawang Calero with 12, Barangay Labangon with five, Barangay Pasil with five, and one each from Barangays Guadalupe, Suba, and Ermita. JMO (FREEMAN)