Local COVID transmission surges in Iloilo City

Local cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Iloilo City are constantly increasing amid massive contact tracing done by authorities.

On Wednesday, Mayor Jerry Treñas, who is under quarantine after being exposed to a COVID-19 patient, announced 26 additional local cases detected at the Iloilo Fishing Port Complex (IFPC).

According to Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna, focal person of the Iloilo City COVID-19 Team, the 26 new cases are residents from the districts of City Proper, Molo, and Jaro.

“We have recorded 26 cases at the fishing port; Brgy. Rizal Pala-Pala 2 with 10 cases, North Baluarte (5); Tanza Baybay (4); Calumpang and Tanza Bonifacio with two cases each; and Cuartero and Simon Ledesma with one case each,” Fortuna said in a virtual briefer on Wednesday.

A security guard who works at the fishing port also tested positive for COVID-19.

Following the surge of local cases, the City COVID-19 Team recommended the surgical lockdown of four barangays – North Baluarte, Rizal Pala-Pala 2, Tanza Baybay, and Rizal Pala-Pala 1 – starting today, Aug 6, 2020, at 6 a.m.

Simon Ledesma in Jaro and Calumpang, Molo (2 cases) could also be locked down if they log additional cases.

Meanwhile, due to its proximity, Treñas also ordered the lockdown of the Iloilo Terminal Market or Super for three days to give way for disinfection.

On the other hand, the lockdown at the Iloilo Fishing Port will also be extended to three days.

“With the number of cases at these barangays, the Iloilo Covid team recommended a surgical lockdown in North Baluarte, Rizal Pala-Pala Zone 1 and Zone 2 and Tanza Baybay. Because of the close proximity, we also recommended the surgical lockdown of the terminal market. We will also extend the lockdown of the fishing port complex,” Fortuna said.

The Iloilo Fishing Port was first placed under lockdown last weekend after a COVID-19 fatality was recorded in the area.

The Department of Health-Center for Health Development Western Visayas (DOH-CHD 6) said that all seven districts of Iloilo City have local COVID-19 cases.

Local cases or those with no travel history outside of Western Visayas local transmission of SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19.

In some local cases, wherein the source of infection remains unknown, it may indicate community-wide transmission of COVID-19, according to Dr. Sophia Pulmones head of the Local Support Division of DOH-CHD 6.

The city government said it is intensifying its efforts especially in locating and isolating all possible and suspected Covid-19 cases.

“The city government through the city health office continues to intensify efforts to curb the transmission and locate and isolate possible and suspected Covid-19 cases,” Atty. GV Cuñada of the City Covid-19 Team said. (ERS)