22 new COVID-19 cases in Cebu City on April 15
CEBU CITY, April 16 (PIA) — Twenty-two more persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Cebu City on April 15, bringing the total number of positive cases to 53 in the city.
The new cases are all asymptomatic and were identified as close contacts of the previous positive cases.
Of the total new cases, 21 are from Sitio Zapatera, Brgy. Luz and one in Brgy. Guadalupe.
Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has already placed Sitio Zapatera in Brgy. Luz, Sitio A. Lopez in Brgy. Labangon, and Brgy. Mambaling on lockdown.
“We hope for the best, but we should also prepare for the worst,” said Labella.
The Cebu City health department is undertaking massive swab testing, and with this, it is expected that the number of cases in the city will increase.
In an interview with Office of the Presidential Assistant to the Visayas (OPAV) Assistant Secretary Jonji Gonzales, Labella shared that barangay captains can take the initiative to practice strict protocols with the entry and exit of their residents.
Dr. Junjie Zuasula, epidemiologist of the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the Department of Health (DOH-7), said the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases is expected because the region’s testing capacity has improved.
DOH-7 Regional Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas said more aggressive measures will be undertaken in identifying clusters of influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) outside of those areas currently identified.
These measures would allow health authorities to easily detect cases and isolate them.
“How effective our containment measures will be and how effective our testing coverage will be shall determine the future of COVID-19 in Cebu City,” said Bernadas.
The Cebu City government has allotted P1-B for its COVID-19 response measures as it continues to distribute relief packs, hygiene kits, and cash assistance to residents.
“On the part of the local government, ang ato jud buhaton is to implement measures kutob sa among mahimo (we will do everything that we can to implement measures) to strengthen our resolve to fight this COVID-19 virus,” said Labella. (poc/PIA7)
source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1039128