The number of confirmed coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases in Quezon City surged to 1,042 up by 26 from the previous 1,016 as of 7 p.m. of April 18, according to the data of the Department of Health (DoH).
Like in the previous count, the tally of the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (QCESU) and the District Health Offices is different with 697 total number of validated cases or a difference of 345 during the same period.
However, the number of COVID-19 deaths has remained at 90 with 87 recoveries, four more than the previous 83 as reported by the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) during the same time frame.
In the same period, the QCHD reported 862 confirmed cases with complete addresses in Quezon City from the previous 848.
The same QCHD report indicated that the number of active COVID-19 cases in the city which refers to those who are still alive and have not fully recovered stood at 520 from the previous 517.
Meanwhile, Mayor Joy Belmonte said that the city government enforces the extreme enhance community quarantine (EECQ) in barangays with two or more confirmed COVID-19 cases and in congested urban poor areas where fast transmission is most likely to occur.
She reiterated that this will still be subjected to the daily review depending on the number of cases and recoveries.
Belmonte also said that the newly reported barangays with two cases have not yet been included in the list as they are still undergoing validation.
As of 7 p.m. of April 18, the Quezon City government has placed the following barangays under the extreme community quarantine.
Tandang Sora, Kalusugan, Ramon Magsaysay, Maharlika, Tatalon, Batasan Hills, Pasong Tamo, Central, San Roque, Paligsahan, Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, South Triangle, Culiat, Bahay Toro, E. Rodriguez, San Isidro Labrador, Matandang Balara, Teachers Village West, Manresa, Paltok, Sto. Domingo, Bagong Silangan, Holy Spirit, Payatas, Marilag, Socorro, Kamuning, Pinyahan, San Isidro Galas, Commonwealth, Pansol, North Fairview, Novaliches Proper, and New Era.
At 5 p.m. of April 18, 153 QC residents were arrested for violating the enhanced community quarantine protocols.
Belmonte appealed to her constituents to stay home and let their household members with quarantine passes leave their house to purchase their essentials.
She stressed that the fight against COVID-19 is a shared responsibility of the government and the public. (Chito A. Chavez)