COVID-19 cases in Pateros drop by 40 percent

MANILA, Philippines — The number of COVID-19 cases in Pateros dropped by 40 percent amid the pilot implementation of the alert level system and the granular lockdown, Pateros Mayor Miguel Ponce said Friday.

In a televised briefing, Ponce said the number of active COVID-19 cases in the municipality has dropped to about 400 from nearly 800 two weeks ago.

“Sa amin, two weeks ago kung ikukumpara ko yung datos, bumaba ang aming COVID-positive by 40 percent. Medyo malaki ito,” Ponce said.

(Here in Pateros, if I compare the data two weeks ago, the number of our COVID-positive went down by 40 percent. That’s somehow big.)

“Two weeks ago, nasa halos 800 kami. Ngayon nasa 400 kami. Nakikita natin yung pagbaba, he added.

(Two weeks ago, we had nearly 800 cases but now, we’re at around 400. We really see the cases decreasing)

According to the Pateros government, the municipality has 454 active COVID-19 cases as of September 30.

Metro Manila has been under Alert Level 4 since September 16. The status was extended by the COVID-19 task force until October 15.

Under Alert Level 4, several businesses like restaurants and personal care services are allowed to operate at a limited capacity.

Complimenting the alert level system is the imposition of 14-day granular lockdowns in small areas where there is a high number of COVID-19 cases.

“Bagamat effective dito, hirap na hirap din ang local government na magpatupad nito dahil nga sa cost-sharing. Dati malaki ang nagiging partisipasyon ng ating national government. Ngayon, naghahati,” Ponce admitted.

(While it is effective, the local government is having a hard time implementing it because of the cost-sharing. Before, the national government had huge participation. But now, we’re splitting the responsibility.)

Persons affected by granular lockdowns will receive food packs from their respective local government units and the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).