Cebu City is named the new epicenter of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the Philippines by Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday.
“Somehow we’re able to contain in the whole country but of course in the National Capital Region and Cebu we have to do more. Particularly Cebu, it’s the epicenter now compared to Metro Manila in area and population,” Año said.
On Sunday, it recorded a total of 131 new cases in comparison with Metro Manila’s 356 new cases coming from 17 local government units.
When asked if the city can be called the new epicenter of the outbreak, he answered, “Yes, more likely because of the rate of infection in Cebu City. Just 1 city if you compared with Metro Manila where we have 17 LGUs… We’re referring to Cebu City. Cebu City is getting a lot of new cases and we’re worried on the number of deaths also.”
Año also reprimanded the city for being “complacent.”
“We’d also like to enjoin and ask the people to observe the health standards protocols. There are so many people violating the quarantine protocols, not wearing masks, not observing physical distancing. In fact there was even a fiesta celebration the other day in Barangay Basak, San Nicolas,” he said.
Further, he enjoined the residents of Cebu City to observe proper protocols and help the government fight this novel virus disrupting the entire country.
“We are asking the public, the Cebu constituents to please do your part, observe health standards strictly. And likewise for those who might have been exposed to positive COVID patients, please volunteer and go to the isolation facilities or have yourself tested,” he said.
