Davao City COVID-19 watch: Total cases jump breach 3,000 mark

Davao City Hall (INQUIRER MINDANAO file photo)

DAVAO CITY — Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) here as of October 27, 2020 soared to 3,290, up 68 percent from 1,953 cases reported and recorded a month ago.

The death toll has likewise jumped to 148.

The monthly number of cases has steadily decreased between June and September, but rose in October.

Health authorities blamed after-work gatherings for the spike, although clusters of infections were also recorded in several work places.

Quarantine facilities

The city government is building five more isolation facilities to help decongest the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

Mayor Sara Duterte – Carpio  said that COVID-19 patients who don’t need hospitalization will be quarantined in these facilities.

Two of these isolation centers will be financed by the private sector, she said.

Duterte – Carpio also shrugged off suggestions of imposing a higher level of quarantine status in the city.

Restrictions

The city has been under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) since August 16.

But as COVID-19 cases surged, Duterte-Carpio  imposed a 10-hour curfew starting Oct. 15, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Starting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, the local government tightened regulations on mass gatherings, through Executive Order No. 57, in a bid to help stem the surge of infections.

Gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited, except in buses, banks, hospitals, and restaurants.

Since Oct. 26, the local government has also required public agencies to implement alternative work arrangements, maintaining only skeleton workforce in their respective offices.

Private firms are encouraged to follow suit.

Worship service rules

In places of worship, a two-meter distance between persons is imposed, and singing and “unnecessary chatting” is prohibited.

Worship services are also limited among those aged 21 to 60. Persons with health conditions, and pregnant women are prohibited from such gatherings.

Gym, fitness clubs, sports regulations

Fitness gyms and clubs are only allowed to take in up to five persons per hour, while those for non-contact sports are allowed up to two hours per person although sharing of equipment is prohibited.

Among athletes, only individual training is allowed, with no time limit.

Establishments dealing with contact sports, billiards, dart are prohibited. Internet cafes are allowed to open but not for gaming and entertainment.

Meetings, public gatherings

Face-to-face meetings in private and public offices are allowed among only five individuals.

Parties can only be held among members of the same household, inside their residence, with only up to 25 people. In restaurants, customers are ordered to wear face mask when not eating or drinking.

Although parades, motorcades, and rallies are prohibited, as a general rule, protest actions can be held in freedom parks, provided that only up to 25 people are in attendance and supervised by the police and local health personnel to ensure compliance with basic health protocols.

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