Massive disinfection drive in Mandurriao

A City Health Office worker sprays disinfectant on a bus to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Iloilo City. Massive disinfection will also be conducted in Mandurriao district after one of its residents was infected with the disease. (Arnold Almacen/CMO)

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The city government is now preparing a massive disinfection drive in Mandurriao district, particularly in the barangay of the first confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case in Iloilo City.

Mayor Jerry Treñas said he coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP), City Health Personnel (CHO), and barangay captains in carrying out the sanitation drive.

He refused to name the barangay in Mandurriao district where the COVID-19 patient resided but disclosed that the patient is from a certain subdivision.

“I have talked to the barangay captain and our City Health personnel are already in the area.  Ang PNP subong ginaplanuhan ang massive sanitation to disinfect ang dira nga area and ang district sang Mandurriao,” he said in a press conference on Wednesday.

The mayor said imposing a lockdown on the barangay will not be possible in the meantime since health department protocols dictate that two positive cases must be detected before it can be implemented.

Kon isa pa lang ang kaso, wala pa na sang lockdown but we are going to sanitize and send everything that we can para mapasiguro ta ang mga residente dira,” he furthered.

After Mandurriao district, Treñas added that the disinfection drive will be extended to other parts of the metro using the chlorine purchased by the city government and donations from private sectors.

“We will coordinate with other fire trucks para maubra naton ang sanitation drive. While nagsiling kita nga sa Mandurriao because we have to prioritize but sige-sige na na as we are purchasing several drums of chlorine,” he said.

A 61-year-old female from Mandurriao, Iloilo City who travelled to Manila is one of two new COVID-19 cases recorded in Western Visayas, the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) confirmed on Tuesday.

The patient is reported to be in stable condition and is admitted at The Medical City.

The other new positive case is a 45-year-old male from Capiz province.

Western Visayas now has four confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The first two cases were from Bacolod City and Iloilo province.