The number of active coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Iloilo City is inching closer to 1000.
On Sunday, May 23, the Department of Health (DOH-6) reported 42 new cases in the city, of which 39 are considered indigenous or locally transmitted, two are authorized persons outside of residence and one is locally stranded individual (LSI).
The additional infections pushed the city’s active case count to 981, the third highest in Western Visayas after Bacolod City (1,190) and Negros Occidental (1,811).
Iloilo province came in fourth with 822 active cases, followed by Aklan with 484, Capiz, 444; Antique, 293; and Guimaras, 80.
Iloilo City was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) on Sunday due to the alarming spike in COVID-19 cases.
According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, the surge in pandemic infections in the recent weeks overwhelmed hospitals in the city.
“The reason why we are now enforcing strict quarantine measures is because I have known of a couple of COVID-19 patients who died while waiting for a hospital room,” he said.
“I would not want that for my beloved Ilonggos. So please, stay at home, practice social distancing and wear your mask,” Treñas further said.IMT
