ILOILO City – This city and Iloilo province are exhausting all means to beef up quarantine curbs while also preparing for a possible surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections.
“Do not to lose sight of the present situation,” said Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas, urging every Ilonggo to be extra vigilant.
The city logged 51 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Saturday, and one death due to the disease.
“We do not want to overwhelm our health facilities with cases just like what is happening in the NCR (National Capital Region) and other places in the country and the world,” Treñas stressed.
Cases in the city are climbing, thus, Treñas is pushing for a stricter implementation of health measures.
Funeral wakes should not be more than three days and only immediate family members are allowed to attend and facilitate activities.
There’s a high chance of acquiring the disease even from these gatherings, said Treñas.
City residents are also urged to practice minimum health protocols: Wear facemasks, face shields and wash hands using alcohol or soap and clean water. This is highly advised even if at home.
Family members who manifest signs and symptoms of COVID-19 must be immediately isolated.
Treñas also advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel outside the city like road trips and leisure activities.
Moreover, with the aim to reach herd immunity, residents are further encouraged to submit themselves for vaccination.
Meanwhile, for community and barangay support, barangay officials, compliance team, and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTS) are urged to help monitor COVID-19 cases in their barangays and enforce implementation of health protocols.
“If there be any increase in the number of cases, we will be compelled to have stricter protocols and executive orders to prevent the increasing number of cases,” a city health advisory read.
Also, for restaurants, there should only be a maximum of 50 percent capacity. Physical distancing must be strictly followed. No indoor live entertainment is allowed, too, among others.
Based on the data from the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), there are 116.67 percent increase in the daily average of COVID-19 cases from May 1 to 8 with 26 cases a day compared to the same period last month with 12 cases a day.
From May 1 to 8, the city has 205 total cases –109.18 percent higher against the cases on the same period last month which is 98.
As of May 8, Iloilo City had 392 active COVID cases with 40 deaths.
On the other hand, Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said district hospitals are ready to expand their bed capacities.
“Ready anytime for supplies, may mga containers kita to nga facilities sa hospitals kag may partnership sa private sectors… may tents man sila nga available for us, ara na sia if we have to expand ready na sia,” Defensor said.
Also on standby is the Provincial Ligtas COVID-19 Quarantine Facility at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz district in case of “spillovers” among quarantine facilities in LGUs.
“Na-experience naton ukon natabo na ina sa Metro Manila nga naggutok sa emergency room. So,
amo na ang aton ginahimu in anticipation sa COVID surge… Dapat prepared kita,” the governor added.
Defensor also disclosed that the province has a backup reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machine “in case nga mag-aberya ang RT-PCR machine ta sa molecular laboratory sa Iloilo Provincial Hospital (Pototan).”
To note, following are the capitol-run hospitals:
* Aleosan District Hospital in Barangay Bancal, Alimodian
* Dr. Ricardo S. Provido Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Dalid, Calinog
* Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital on Alfelor Street, Passi City
* Dr. Ricardo Y. Ladrido Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Poblacion, Ilawod, Lambunao
* Ramon D. Duremdes District Hospital in Barangay Ilaya 1st, Dumangas
* Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay
* Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Barangay Rumbang, Pototan
* Jesus M. Colmenares Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Tingui-an, Balasan
* Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Pungtod, Cabatuan
* Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial District Hospital on Garriel Street, Guimbal
* Sara District Hospital in Barangay Anoring, Sara
* San Joaquin Mother and Child Hospital in San Joaquin
* Barotac Viejo District Hospital in Barangay San Lucas, Barotac Viejo
Defensor also enjoined local officials to implement the following:
* Home quarantine for COVID-19 positive asymptomatic cases and those with mild symptoms shall be avoided. COVID-19 positive, asymptomatic cases shall be isolated in facilities at the barangay level. City/municipalities and barangays are earnestly enjoined to establish isolation facilities for COVID-19 positive asymptomatic cases
* Close contacts shall be traced, identified and subjected to quarantine measures within 24 hours from detection of a COVID-19 positive case. If needed, contact tracing teams of city/municipalities may be augmented by contact tracers from other local government units and the Department of Interior and Local Government
* City/municipalities shall strictly monitor/follow clustering of COVID-19 cases, and execute containment measures (lockdowns), pursuant to the National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19 Zoning Containment Strategy
As of May 8, Iloilo had 326 active coronavirus cases with 175 deaths, data from the Provincial Health Office showed.
Iloilo logs 17 daily average COVID cases this month, PHO data suggested./PN
