More areas in Muntinlupa, Caloocan under lockdown

MANILA, Philippines — The city governments of Muntinlupa and Caloocan have placed more areas under lockdown due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

In a statement, Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi placed Building 18 and Sitio Aplaya on Rizal street, both in Barangay Poblacion, under extreme localized community quarantine (ELCQ) for 15 days starting yeserday.

The areas recorded more than 40 new COVID cases in just one week, Fresnedi said.

Building 18 recorded 23 cases with an attack rate of 3,833 per 10,000 population, while Sitio Amplaya recorded 24 cases, or an attack rate of 821.91 per 10,000 population.

The areas had a case doubling time of two days.

The city health office will conduct a mass swab testing in the areas, while city police will enforce total lockdown measures.

Food packs and other basic items will be provided by the city during the ELCQ.

The city government placed 14 areas in Muntinlupa under ELCQ starting last month.

As of Sept. 2, Muntinlupa recorded 20,711 confirmed cases with 17,794 recoveries and 454 reported deaths. The city had 2,463 active cases as of Thursday.

In Caloocan, the city government said it sealed off two households in David Compound along 11th Avenue in Barangay 89 starting yesterday until Sept. 10.

A portion of Pangako street from North Diversion Road to Tugatog street, as well as Alleys 1 and 2, in Barangay 141 would be under lockdown starting today until Sept. 10.

The concerned barangay councils have informed affected residents that everyone would be prohibited from leaving their houses while only medical frontliners, essential government personnel like police officers and barangay officials, and persons who need medical emergencies would be exempted.

The local government said it would perform mass testing and contact tracing in the areas under lockdown and distribute food packs to affected families.

As of Aug. 31, Caloocan had a total of 46,488 confirmed COVID-19 patients with 42,654 recoveries, 1,270 deaths and 2,564 active cases. – Ghio Ong