Quezon village under lockdown after deaths of 2 suspected COVID-19 patients

LUCENA CITY — Following the deaths of two suspected COVID-19 patients, the local government of General Luna town in Quezon province has placed an entire barangay (village) under a “granular lockdown” to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Mayor Matt Erwin Florido announced on Sunday that the village of San Isidro Ilaya will be under strict quarantine status from September 12 to 14 at 6 a.m. after the recent deaths of two villagers, both classified as suspected COVID-19 patients.

“Sa mga nagdaang araw, marami ang naireport at napaulat na marami sa barangay na ito ang nagkaroon ng sintomas tulad ng lagnat, sipon at pag-ubo (During past days, many were reported to have been showing symptoms like fever, cold and cough),” Florido said on his Facebook post. He said the village also has active virus carriers.

As a precaution, all villagers are prohibited from going out of their houses.

Only those who would seek emergency medical attention and have passes to buy essential goods were exempted from the strict quarantine protocol.

Authorities also imposed a strict liquor ban and 24-hour curfew.

The local government has been conducting an aggressive contact tracing in the village to prevent the spread of the virus.

“The houses of families of all close contacts will be placed under TOTAL LOCKDOWN and they will all undergo QUARANTINE for 14 days,” Florido stressed.

As of September 11, General Luna, located in the province’s Bondoc Peninsula district, still has 12 active COVID-19 patients.

At least three persons have died of COVID-19 in the locality.

On Sept. 1, Florido contracted COVID-19. He was tested “negative” from a rapid antigen test and still remains under home quarantine.