Manila mayor warns of localized lockdowns if COVID-19 cases soar

City of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno   (RICHARD A. REYES / INQUIRER file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno on Tuesday warned that he will not hesitate to impose stricter localized lockdowns if active coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases surge in the city.

“Kung sakaling magtuloy iyong nakikita natin ngayon, hindi ako mangingime maglockdown in a concerned district or area kasi we continue to do self prevalence or self-surveillance,” said Moreno on CNN Philippines.

(If cases continue to increase, I will not think twice about implementing a lockdown in a concerned district or area because we continue to do self prevalence or self surveillance.)

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Moreno added that COVID-19 cases in Manila will be “alarming” if it reaches 1,100 active infections.

Manila City Hall. (Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net)

Moreno likewise said he expects “different numbers” of cases in January next year because there is a “growth” of COVID-19 infections in December.

“We are in the middle of December and there is already a growth. We might be expecting different numbers by January,” he said.

As of Dec. 15, Moreno said the City of Manila, with a population of  2.4 million, logged 359 active COVID-19 cases.

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