Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday expressed alarm over the reported surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Metro Manila before the Christmas holiday.
Belmonte noted the latest report of the OCTA Research team that said the National Capital Region’s reproductive rate is now at 1.06.
Given that Quezon City is the biggest city in the NCR, the city’s reproductive rate also went beyond the 1.00 threshold, as it reached 1.15, the mayor said.
Health experts also reported an upward trend in new cases, especially as quarantine protocols relax. OCTA warned that if this continues, there would be more infections in the coming days.
Based on the Department of Health data, the positivity rate of Quezon City is now at 6 percent with an average of 80 cases per day from Dec. 7-13.
To help stem the tide of the coronavirus, Belmonte announced a ban on holding funeral wakes at home in Quezon City.
The city government reiterated that holding wakes or “burol” at home is still prohibited and must only be held in funeral parlors.
Belmonte warned barangay officials and funeral homes personnel who allow wakes at home that they could be penalized with fines or imprisonment for violating the ordinance.
Ricardo Corpuz, Barangay Community Relations Department head, issued the reminder after receiving information that several barangays allow wakes to be held at home.
Belmonte said that indicators have been rising since the start of December.
“Unfortunately, the question of a possible surge is not a matter of how, but of when. Looks like Metro Manila is in that direction where a second wave is possible soon and we must proactively do our part in stopping that possibility,” she added.
The city’s Task Force on COVID-19, headed by former councilor Joseph Juico, said projections are currently being studied to further improve the preparations and the mitigating efforts of the city government.
“These projections will help us prepare for the worst. Our testing and contact tracing capacities will continue to expand, and our hospitals will be better equipped. However, while we are preparing, our wish is not to have patients during the holidays,” Juico said.
“Our health workers also deserve a break during this season. Let’s work together in ensuring that our numbers will not continue to rise,” he added.
According to Belmonte, the city council has passed several ordinances to help control the increasing COVID-19 cases, specifically created to address the trend.
Moreover, the city government is increasing the monitoring of the use of face masks and face shields and the practice of social distancing in public areas.
Police officers would also be deployed in markets to apprehend violators.
“We plead to our residents and visitors to please observe all basic health protocols. We do not want to be in our July-August situation where our daily new cases are beyond 400. The best way to celebrate Christmas is by protecting our loved ones against COVID-19,” Belmonte said.
