By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – This city is in “critical situation” because of the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
Mayor Ronnie Dadivas said the virus infected an average of 35 individuals every day.
Roxas City is under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) status until June 30, 2021.
Data also showed that Roxas City has a 41.41% positivity rate, higher than the 8% positivity rate of the National Capital Region (NCR).
Positivity rate refers to the percentage of all COVID-19 tests performed that are actually positive. The World Health Organization recommends positivity rates to remain below 5% for at least two weeks before governments can consider reopening the economy.
Dadivas said the death toll also surged after 28 persons died from May to June.
The data also indicated that the fatalities are getting younger.
Dadivas said the two-week MECQ from June 1-15 was not enough to slow down the infection, thus the extension which was approved by the Regional Interagency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Despite repeated reminders and warnings, many individuals still violate health protocol like wearing of face masks and face shields.
Dadivas stressed that since the start of the MECQ status this month, 1,051 violators were arrested for not wearing face mask and face shield. Most of them were repeat offenders particularly in the Teodoro Arcenas Trade Center
LAWMAKER, WIFE INFECTED
Meanwhile, Capiz 1st district Rep. Emmanuel “Tawi” Billones Sr. and wife Susan were infected with COVID-19.
In a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Billones appealed to persons he had close contact with in the past week to undergo self-quarantine.
