Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon. (INQUIRER.net file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — The daily active cases of COVID-19 in Muntinlupa rose from 45 to 96 over the past week, covering June 27 to July 3, according to the city health office.
“Let us take this seriously. Let’s not let the COVID-19 situation in the city get out of control. Let us become advocates of health protocols. Let’s not just follow, but let’s also be advocates,” Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon said, speaking in a mix of Filipino and English, during the flag-raising ceremony at city hall.
“It is us who will encourage our neighbors, friends, and countrymen,” he added.
Biazon said he had already called for an emergency meeting with the local COVID-19 Task Force to discuss measures in addressing the alarming rise in active cases.
Meanwhile, in a statement, health officer Juancho Bunyi attributed the rise in active COVID-19 cases in the city to household transmission — with those who tested positive experiencing mild symptoms.
He added that health workers, travelers, and seafarers who had COVID-19 testing as a travel requirement could also be a cause.
The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) have been placed under red alert.
Still, despite the increase in active cases, Muntinlupa remained at low risk for COVID-19 transmission with a positivity rate at only 4 percent, lower than the regional rate of 8.2 percent.
Meanwhile, Bunyi also announced that residents aged 12 to 17 years old could now get their booster shots five months after their second dose.
Booster shots for minors will be administered at Ayala Malls South Park, Sucat Health Center, Cupang Health Center, Laguerta Health Center (every Tuesday and Thursday), and at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa.
As of July 3, Muntinlupa has 40,379 confirmed cases with 39,666 recoveries, 96 active cases, and 617 reported deaths.
Meanwhile, as of July 4, the COVID-19 Tracker on the Department of Health website showed the nationwide COVID-19 caseload at 3,709,386, with 10,094 active cases, 3,638,690 recoveries, and 60,602 deaths.
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