Active COVID-19 cases triple in Marikina

MANILA, Philippines — The number of active COVID-19 cases in Marikina City has nearly tripled in a span of one week.

Latest data from the Marikina government showed that there are 51 active cases in the city as of Dec. 29, which is higher compared to just 18 cases on Dec. 22 – an increase of about 183.3 percent.

The figure is 6.25 percent higher compared to the 48 cases documented in the city on Nov. 30.

The barangays with the most number of active cases are Fortune and San Roque with seven each; Concepcion Dos and Concepcion Uno, five each; and Marikina Heights, Sta. Elena and Sto Nino, four each.

Mayor Marcelino Teodoro earlier said he wanted Metro Manila to remain under Alert Level 2 in January 2022 as he believed the region is not yet ready for more relaxed quarantine measures.

Teodoro said downgrading the quarantine restrictions should not be rushed, noting the country has recorded four cases of the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

“We should continue the strict implementation of minimum health and safety protocols in the country, and aggressively conduct contact tracing to stem the transmission of the virus,” Teodoro said.

He also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and strictly observe COVID-19 protocols to prevent another surge in infections.

Teodoro appealed to the public to remain vigilant and self-regulate when it comes to following health and safety protocols to prevent another surge in COVID-19 cases.

“We do not want our efforts and gains to go to waste just because of drastic decisions concerning the health of the public,” he said.