COVID-19 clusters seen in almost 400 barangays in NCR, Cebu City

July 6, 2020

Almost 400 barangays in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Cebu City being monitored as clusters of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said: ''In Cebu City, we have 64 barangays found to have clusters; while in NCR, we have 314 barangays reported to have these clusters of cases."

Latest DOH data  shows Metro Manila with 1,482 new cases this past week, while Central Visayas had 1,188 new cases.

Vergeire said the DOH identified three "closed settings", where clustering of cases have been seen.

"We have identified three closed settings in the NCR, including the one at the MRT, which we are closely monitoring," said Vergeire.

According to the Department of Transportation, a total of 172 personnel of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 tested positive for COVID-19.

Vergeire said the DOH is also watching Cebu City, Cebu Province, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City in Central Visayas in addition to Quezon City and Manila.

"These are the top six areas that we are closely monitoring after seeing high number of cases during the past week," said  Vergeire.

Records show that Cebu City had 469 new cases over the past week; followed by Cebu Province with 234; Lapu-Lapu City with 176; Quezon City with 110; Mandaue City with 101; and the City of Manila with 93.

The DOH said it is not advisable for the public to go to these areas.

"If you are going to a place where there’s a high transmission, we are recommending that you do not do that at this time or until the situation is cleared," said Vergeire. DMS