BY CHITO CHAVEZ
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THE Quezon City government on Tuesday said it has placed two more areas under the special concern lockdown (SCL) to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
In a May 26 letter to the Department of Interior and Local Government-National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, assistant city administrator for operations Alberto Kimpo identified the two new areas under SCL as Certeza Compound in Barangay Culiat and Alley 2 Homart Road in Barangay Baesa.
While Certeza Compound has only one confirmed COVID-19 case, Kimpo said the area’s dense population makes it a candidate for SCL, as recommended by the QC Health Department (QCHD) and requested by the Barangay Culiat officials.
“Its 44 families cramped in a 70-square meter compound, makes Certeza in great risk of community transmission,” said Kimpo.
Kimpo disclosed that the QCHD will conduct rapid testing on 200 individuals and a random rapid testing involving around 450 households in the immediate vicinity of the lockdown area to check the extent of the infection in the community.
Like Certeza Compound, Kimpo said Alley 2 Homart Road the QCHD also recommended it to be placed under SCL also due to its dense population.
At present, QCESU head Dr. Rolly Cruz said there are nine confirmed cases in the said area, with one death, while the others are either confined in various HOPE facilities or undergoing quarantine at home.
“An estimated 156 families comprising of 500 individuals will undergo rapid testing to help determine the spread of COVID-19 in the area,” said Cruz.
Meanwhile, the city government is looking to extend the 14-day lockdown in 11 locations that were placed under SCL. It plans to continue rapid testing on all individuals in these areas.
These areas are Sitio Militar in Barangay Bahay Toro; Vargas Compound-Adelfa Metro Heights-Abanay and Ancop Canada in Barangay Culiat; Lower Gulod in Brgy. Sauyo; 318 Dakila St., 2nd Alley Kalayaan B and Masbate St. in Barangay Batasan Hills and Victory Avenue, ROTC Hunters, BMA Avenue and Agno St. in Barangay Tatalon.
