More than 1,000 people are affected as 40 houses and four property compounds are on lockdown with the city government still grappling with the effects of COVID-19.
According to the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), there are also no purok (zones) and streets that are locked down for now. All in all, the number of affected households is 343, translating to 1,045 individuals.
“Last week, the affected family members reached 2,000 but, as we can see, there is a development and it is decreasing,” Sumagaysay said.
He also clarified that a lockdown does not necessarily mean that the inhabitants are confirmed positive COVID-19 patients. However, they were identified through contact tracing, which means that they have possible exposure to the virus.
The PSSCC chief also explained that house, compound, street, and barangays are first identified by the district health officers through contact tracing. They will then coordinate with the barangay officials to isolate the individuals, which will then be referred to the security cluster.
“I will go to the area and coordinate with the chief of police or city director and coordinate also with the barangay captain and that’s the time the lockdown will be implemented, either house, street, or compound lockdown,” he said.
The authorities will place an outpost and coordinate with the proper agencies for the food ration, which would be good for 14 days.
While on a lockdown, the persons inside are prohibited to go out until such time the City Health Office will conduct a swabbing test to ensure that he or she is not affected with COVID-19.
“It’s an easier process but the barangay has a big role to make sure the people are getting at least psychosocial interventions,” he further said.
Nearly 1,200 members of the Civil Security Unit were diverted to secure the isolation facilities, checkpoints, hospitals, and quarantine points.
On the other hand, Alex Roldan, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI regional director said they are looking to bring in more people to help speed up the contact tracing efforts sometimes this week.
“There are already guidelines for the hiring of additional contractual to contact trace those individuals who are exposed to the COVID -19 patient,” Roldan said, adding that they will meet with the local government units to know their needs and finalize the guideline.
