Two more Quezon City areas under lockdown

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government placed two more areas under a 14-day special concern lockdown starting yesterday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Mayor Joy Belmonte reiterated her call to residents of Certeza Compound in Barangay Culiat and Alley 2 Homart Road in Barangay Baesa to cooperate with the local government in its effort to stop the spread of the disease.

The city health department recommended placing the two areas under lockdown due to their dense population, which may contribute to a fast spread of the virus, according to assistant city administrator for operations Alberto Kimpo.

While there is only one confirmed case in Certeza, Kimpo noted that there is a high risk of transmission since there are 44 families crammed in a 70-square-meter compound.

Meanwhile, there are nine confirmed cases in Alley 2 Homart Road, including one death. Several residents are also confined in isolation facilities or undergoing quarantine at home after showing symptoms.

Kimpo said rapid testing would be conducted on the households in the areas placed on lockdown, as well as in the immediate vicinity to determine the extent of the infection.

Those who would test positive, as well as those with negative test results but are showing symptoms, would undergo confirmatory testing using PCR tests.

Residents in areas under special concern lockdown would not be allowed to leave their homes, with the city government providing their necessities.