The local government of Muntinlupa is imposing a hard lockdown anew for two ‘areas of concern’ due to alarming rise of COVID-19 cases, this is in addition to three communities in the city placed under stricter community quarantine this week.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi ordered a 14-day Extreme Localized Community Quarantine (ELCQ) in Purok 3, Molera Compound in Barangay Sucat and Purok 7, Beatriz Compound, De Mesa L & B Street in Barangay Alabang starting 06:00 p.m. of August 13 until August 27, 6:00 p.m.

There are now 5 communities under hard lockdown in Muntinlupa during the imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila.

Recently, the local government has placed Block 8, Hills View and Mangga St., Lakeview Homes in Barangay Putatan last August 12 until August 26 and Chico St., Laguerta in Barangay Tunasan under ELCQ last August 10 until August 25.

Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) chief Dr. Juancho Bunyi said the new communities to be put on hard lockdown have clustering of cases, high attack rates, and narrow doubling time or the number of days for local COVID-19 cases to double in number.

In Molera Compound, Purok 3, there are 5 active cases out of a total of 21 individuals as of August 13. The area has a high attack rate of 238 cases per 10,000 population and a narrow doubling time of 2 days. The local CHO also recorded 19 children more than 5 years old and 2 children below 5 y/o who are at risk in the area.

While in Purok 7, Beatriz Compound, there are 10 active cases out of a total of 176 individuals as of August 13. The attack rate in the community is at 568.18 cases per 10,000 population and thedoubling time is at 2 days. Vulnerable groups are also present in the area with 22 senior citizens, 24 children more than 5 years old, and 29 children under 5 y/o.

Bunyi said that clustering of cases were observed in the communities and minimum public health practices such as social distancing and the strict use of face masks are not strictly followed. Further, CHO noted that the communities are congested and houses are close to one another.

The local health officer also noted that total lockdown protocols will be implemented in the areas of concern and residents will be prohibited to go out of their residences.

“Total lockdown ang ating ipapatupad. Para sa mga essential workers gaya ng mga doktor, nurses, paramedics, kapag lalabassila ay hindi na sila pwedeng umuwi. Sa hospital o kung saan sila nagdu-duty na po sila dapat mag-stay hanggang matapos ang lockdown,” Bunyi added.

In addition to the reinforcement of mass testing and contact tracing in the areas, the Muntinlupa CHO is eyeing to conduct house-to-house vaccination for affected residents.

The City Social Service Department and Barangays will provide food packs and other basic items for the affected residents during the effectivity of the ELCQ. PNP Muntinlupa is set to secure the two communities and shall augment roving personnel in nearby areas to ensure the public’s strict compliance to health protocols.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urges city residents to exercise extra caution this season as the rise of COVID-19 cases is alarming. He also encouraged the public to avail the vaccination service of the local government especially during the ECQ for them to have an added protection against the adverse effects of COVID-19 and to strictly observe minimum health protocols such as frequent hand-washing, wearing of face masks, and physical distancing.

As of August 13, Muntinlupa City has 16,147 confirmed cases with 14,492 recoveries, 1,252 active cases, 403 reported deaths, 43suspect cases, and 2,020 probable cases.