Slight rise in COVID-19 cases noted in Cebu after MGCQ shift

CEBU CITY –– Health officials have noted a slight increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Cebu province since it shifted to a more relaxed modified general community quarantine.

Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, spokesperson of the Department of Health in Central Visayas, said they were closely monitoring the number of infections in the province, which opened more business establishments and resumed its tourism activities.

“Based on our data, we can see that there is a slow increase in the number of cases,” she said in a virtual press conference.

As of August 18, Cebu province registered 43 new cases of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the total number of infections to 4,085 with 265 deaths.

While there is an increase in cases in Cebu province, Loreche said the entire Cebu island and its cities, now have better control of the disease compared to before.

Critical care utilization rate on the island is also below 30 percent for the past two weeks, she added.

Cebu province is under modified general community quarantine, except for Talisay City and the urban towns of Minglanilla and Consolacion, which are still under general community quarantine (GCQ).

The highly urbanized cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu are also under GCQ.