The Quezon City government has put two more areas under special concern lockdown (SCL) even as it plans to extend the restrictions imposed on the 11 sites that were initially placed under SCL amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a letter to the Department of the Interior and Local Government-National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin dated May 26, 2020, Assistant City Administrator for Operations Alberto Kimpo identified the areas as Certeza Compound in Barangay Culiat and Alley 2 Homart Road in Barangay Baesa.
While Certeza Compound has only one confirmed COVID-19 case, Kimpo said the area’s dense population makes it a candidate for special concern lockdown, as recommended by the QC Health Department (QCHD) and requested by the leadership of Barangay Culiat.
“Its 44 families cramped in a 70-square meter compound, makes Certeza in great risk of community transmission,” said Kimpo.
Kimpo disclosed that the QC Health Department will conduct rapid testing on 200 individuals and a random rapid testing involving around 450 households in the immediate vicinity of the lockdown area to check the extent of the infection in the community.
Like Certeza Compound, Alley 2 Homart Road has also been recommended by the QCHD to be placed under special concern lockdown due to the dense population in the area
At present, QC-ESU head Dr. Rolly Cruz said there are nine confirmed cases in the area, with one death, while the others are either confined in various HOPE facilities or undergoing quarantine at home.
“An estimated 156 families, comprising of 500 individuals, will undergo rapid testing to help determine the spread of COVID-19 in the area,” said Cruz.
Meanwhile, the local government is looking to extend the 14-day lockdown in 11 locations that were placed under SCL as it plans to continue rapid testing on all individuals in these areas.
These areas are Sitio Militar in Brgy. Bahay Toro; Vargas Compound-Adelfa Metro Heights-Abanay and Ancop Canada in Brgy. Culiat; Lower Gulod in Brgy. Sauyo; 318 Dakila St., 2nd Alley Kalayaan B and Masbate St. in Brgy. Batasan Hills; and Victory Avenue, ROTC Hunters, BMA Avenue and Agno St. in Brgy. Tatalon.
Since it began rapid testing on May 21, the QC-ESU has conducted tests on 1,419 individuals in all 5 barangays, according to Cruz.
Out of these 1,419 individuals, 78 came out IgM and IgG positive, 6 were IgM positive and 11 were tested negative but symptomatic, according to Cruz.
Cruz explained that individuals tested positive for IgM and those negative for IgG and IgM antibodies but have symptoms of COVID-19 were automatically subjected to a confirmatory PCR test.
Kimpo reported that the distribution of food packs in all 11 areas was completed last May 17.
Mayor Joy Belmonte reiterated her call to residents of the affected area to cooperate with the local government in its effort to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
“Muli po nating hinihingi ang kooperasyon ng lahat sa hangarin nating pigilan ang pagkalat ng virus sa ating lugar. Huwag po nating isaalang-alang ang ating kalusugan at kaligtasan,” said Belmonte.
Photo Source: Facebook/MayorJoyBelmonte