CEBU, Philippines — About 60 children in two centers — one run by a religious congregation in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City and another run by the Lapu-Lapu City government in Barangay Gun-ob — tested positive for COVID-19.
At least 27 underprivileged youth ages 15-20 housed at the Talamban facility and 31 others housed at the Lapu-Lapu City Home Care for Children were found to have contracted the disease.
Cebu City Emergency Operations Center deputy chief implementer and City Councilor Joel Garganera said the Talamban center has been locked down and the positive children have been isolated from others within the facility.
The reason behind the mass infection is still being verified by contact tracers, he added.
He said the city government is sending provisions to the facility while on lockdown.
Garganera said this is the third time that a facility/shelter based in Talamban got locked down. Thus, he reminded the managements of shelters and other facilities to revisit health protocols versus COVID-19.
Garganera also reminded parents to monitor their children as the government “can only do so much and needs everyone’s cooperation,” especially with the threat of the Delta variant of COVID-19 that has affected even the younger population.
Lapu-Lapu center
Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan personally inspected yesterday the situation at the Home Care Center for Children in Sitio Tugas, Barangay Gun-ob where 31 kids and two staff workers tested positive for coronavirus.
The center serves as a home for some 46 abandoned or neglected children and children in conflict with the law.
“Nakabati ko og dakong kahadlok kay ang COVID karon moigo na sa mga kabataan nga lahi sa miaging tuig. Sila ang mga kabataan nga wala na gyuy mga ginakanan ug walay masampit nga Mama ug Papa kung sila masakit. Maong isip amahan sa syudad, kita gayud ang mibarog isip ilang amahan ug ato gayud silang gibista kaganiha para mahatagan sa ilang mga panginahanglanon,” said Chan in his Facebook post.
Chan said that he brought a medical doctor with him to the center to give instructions on what to do in case the children would feel anything.
City Social Welfare and Development Office head Annabeth Cuizon told The FREEMAN that the positive children and staff are being isolated within the center’s compound.
“Naa sa compound wherein naay three buildings. Gi-isolate sila,” said Cuizon, adding that the kids are living in dormitory-style beds with staff who are in and out in three shifts.
Chan reiterated that he will continue to look after the welfare of the kids.
“Sa atong mga home care children, ayaw kamo pagduhaduha sa pagsampit kanako kay anaa ra ko pirmi sa inyung kiliran. God bless kaninyung tanan ug unta maayo na mo,” Chan added.
Lapu-Lapu City Representative Paz Radaza earlier sent aid to the center after learning of the situation.
“Naguol kaayo ko pagkahibawo nako nga duna diay nag-positive sa Home Care, naguol ko para sa mga bata. Sa ing-ani nga panahon, nga kinahanglan og immediate nga tabang, andam ra gyud ta kanunay,” she said.
Radaza sent food supplies and safety health kits to the affected children and staff.
Yesterday, Radaza said that since center is closed, she will make sure that the children get to eat delicious meals.
“Atong gisiguro nga makakaon intawon ang mga bata og lami labi na nga lain ang ilang panlawas karon. Kaganihang hapon, naghatod ang akong staff og bam-i ug bola-bola nga maoy ilang ipanihapon, concentrated calamansi juice aron moprotehir nila sa ubo ug sib-on ug thermal scanner aron ma-monitor gyud nila ang body temperature,” she said. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Decemay P. Padilla, JMD (FREEMAN)