COVID-19 hits another non-profit shelter in Cebu

FILE — Health workers spray disinfectant as they make their way through Barangay 628 Zone 63 in Santa Mesa district, Manila, which had been placed on lockdown for four days because of an increase in COVID-19 cases in the village. —RICHARD A. REYES

CEBU CITY, Philippines – A facility ran by a non-profit group here in Cebu was placed under lockdown after several of its occupants contracted COVID-19.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of Cebu City confirmed on Tuesday, August 10, that they isolated an entire shelter housing underprivileged young adults in Barangay Talamban when they found out that at least 27 of its occupants tested positive of the infection.

Councilor Joel Garganera, EOC head, told reporters in a briefer on Tuesday that most of those who got infected have ages ranging between 15 to 20 years old.

Garganera, however, requested not to disclose the name of the shelter recently placed under lockdown.

“It’s a religious facility, and they house children who have the potential to excel but cannot afford to go school. There, they are being taught and housed for free,” said Garganera in Cebuano.

The councilor also said all infected patients will stay in the facility throughout its lockdown phase, and that contact tracing is now ongoing to determine how the virus reached the facility.

“Hopefully in the afternoon and evening, we will be able to find out how the virus got there, and if some of them exhibit symptoms,” he added.

Provisions such as food packs and other essential items were also provided to the occupants for the lockdown period, said Garganera.

In Lapu-Lapu City, a government run facility was also placed under lockdown when at least 32 children there tested positive of COVID-19.

READ: Chan: 32 kids at Home Care Center positive for COVID-19

/ dcb