The Iloilo City government is gearing for the entry of the new mutated strain of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) following reports of countries confirming cases of mutated virus in their area.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said it is eyeing stronger quarantine measures once the city detects the new strain of COVID-19.
“We have to be ready in case there are incidents nga may makit-an kita nga ari diri then we will have to go on a stronger quarantine. Meaning to say, kon may ara gid man, i-lockdown iban nga barangay para mapasiguro ta nga indi maglapta,” he said in a media interview on Wednesday.
Based on an article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, more countries in the globe have detected cases of the mutated virus. After Christmas day, the list of countries affected by the new variant reached 15.
According to reports, the new strain of COVID-19 identified as “B.1.1.7.” has been discovered in London and southeast of England.
A study at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, revealed that the new coronavirus strain can be 56 percent more transmissible than the pre-existing variant.
Meanwhile, the national government has expanded its travel ban to 19 more countries in its bid to prevent the possible transmission of the new COVID-19 strain.
Malacañang announced on Tuesday the expanded travel ban starting Wednesday, Dec. 30 until Jan. 15 in the following countries: Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, and Spain.
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that Iloilo City will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) from Jan 1 to 31, 2021 despite the 17 percent decrease of Covid-19 cases recorded in the metro for the month of December compared to the previous month, according to the City Health Office.
As of Dec. 29, Iloilo City recorded 4,652 Covid-19 cases, 4,386 total recoveries, 116 active cases, and 149 deaths. (ERS)
