Vico Sotto debunks fake messages claiming entire Pasig City Hall on lockdown

MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said Thursday that the City Hall is not on lockdown, adding that vaccinations are still ongoing after a Viber message claimed that the drive was halted.

“Nag-announce lang ako na lockdown ang City Administrator’s Office… tapos ang nakarating nang balita sa isang Viber group ay lockdown daw buong city hall at tinigil daw ang pagbabakuna,” said Sotto in a Twitter post.

(I only announced the lockdown of the City Administrator’s Office …but news that reached a Viber group claimed that the entire city hall was locked down and that vaccinations had stopped.)

“Mabilis kumalat ang COVID pero mas mabilis kumalat ang tsismis!” he added.

(COVID spreads fast, but gossip spreads even faster.)

Nag announce lang ako na lockdown ang City Administrator's Office… tapos ang nakarating nang balita sa isang viber group ay lockdown daw buong city hall at tinigil daw ang pagbabakuna…

Mabilis kumalat ang covid pero mas mabilis kumalat ang tsismis!

— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) September 2, 2021

Sotto announced that Pasig City Hall had locked down a number of offices, including that of the City Administrator since several of the staff were tested positive for COVID-19.

The vaccination drive has not been suspended, however.

Pasig City as of September 2 has recorded a total number of 43,549 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 2,075 active cases, 1,117 deaths and 40,357 recoveries.

Meanwhile, the country has recently breached the 2-million mark of total confirmed COVID cases with the recent number at 2,020,484, as of September 2. This number includes 146,510 active cases, 1,820,294 recoveries and 33,680 deaths.

READ: 16,621 new COVID-19 cases in PH push active count to 146,510

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