The Quezon City government has enforced a new special concern lockdown amid increasing cases of COVID-19.
A month after lifting lockdowns in specific areas, the city government said it has placed one compound in Barangay Tandang Sora under special concern lockdown.
Special concern lockdown areas are identified alleys, streets, or compounds with clustering of cases and where quarantine protocols would be difficult to implement.
“We had to place this area under lockdown so as to stop further infections. From an index case, she has infected more people because of a social gathering,” Belmonte said.
The index case, who was identified as an employee of a government agency, experienced symptoms during the first week of December.
“Unfortunately, despite experiencing such symptoms, she together with some family members and friends celebrated a birthday in their compound. She was then tested on Dec. 9, and it turned out positive,” the city government said in a statement.
A total of 81 individuals were listed as close contacts, including one pregnant, seven senior citizens, and six minors.
Out of the 44 individuals who were swabbed, 10 tested positive, prompting the implementation of special concern lockdown.
Other tested close contacts are still waiting for their results.
“This is a perfect example of why it is important not to engage in any social gathering such as parties and reunions because one can get infected just by co-mingling with a symptomatic individual,” Belmonte said.
She said the city government has been firm in its reminders to shun mass gatherings, especially during the holiday season as cases continue to increase.
“If the index case could have just isolated herself and did not join the party, she would not have infected everyone in her household and even her neighbors and friends,” said Dr. Rolly Cruz, head of the City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit.
“Let us celebrate the holidays in the new normal. We understand that you miss your relatives already but in order to protect them and yourself, we should celebrate separately. I ask all residents to please be responsible in their actions during this season,” Belmonte said.
“We owe it to our frontliners, especially our nurses and doctors, to practice minimum health protocols so that they may have a chance to be with their families during the Christmas season instead of taking care of sick patients,” she added.