Navotas COVID-19 cases spike to 300

MANILA, Philippines — The number of active COVID-19 cases in Navotas City surged to 300, from only three infections two weeks ago.

Mayor Toby Tiangco expressed alarm over the significant increase in cases of COVID-19 after the New Year revelry.

“Think about it: on Dec. 18, we only had three active COVID cases. It really is shocking,” Tiangco said in Filipino during a Facebook Live on Wednesday night.

Navotas recorded 68 active cases of COVID-19 on Dec. 29, up from 24 on Dec. 28. The infections ballooned to 121 on Dec. 30, 220 on Dec. 31 and 300 on New Year’s Day.

Days before Christmas, Tiangco had hoped for zero COVID cases as the city posted only three active cases on Dec. 18. But infections increased as the holiday season drew to a close.

“Please, let us all take extra precautions because of rising cases of COVID-19. From three active cases, to 68. I was really shocked,” Tiangco said.

SC employees infected

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will suspend work today until Wednesday after several SC personnel tested positive for the virus in antigen tests.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said they would conduct COVID testing of other court employees and disinfect the SC compound.

Based on the report of the SC Medical and Dental Services, several court employees tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 27, 2021.

Gesmundo said they would conduct contact tracing to prevent the spread of the virus.

Personnel of the Office of the Bar Chair and Office of the Bar Confidant who are involved in the 2021 Bar examinations are still required to report to work physically.

Gesmundo said the scheduled booster vaccination of SC employees today and tomorrow would still push through.

Modified working arrangements will take effect on Jan. 6.

“Everyone would be required to present his or her negative antigen test upon entering the court premises on Thursday,” the SC said. – Evelyn Macairan