TWO more densely populated areas in Quezon City would be placed under a “special concern lockdown” (SCL) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the local government said on Tuesday. QC Assistant City Administrator for Operations Alberto Kimpo identified the areas as Certeza Compound in Barangay Culiat and Alley 2 Homart Road in Barangay Baesa. He added that the dense populations of the two areas made them qualify under SCL, which was also recommended by the QC Health Department (QCHD). QC Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (QC-ESU) Head Dr. Rolly Cruz said there were nine Covid-19 cases on Alley 2 Homart Road, with one death. Kimpo said the QCHD would conduct rapid testing on 200 individuals and a random rapid testing involving around 450 households in the immediate vicinity of the locked down areas to check the extent of the infection in the community. Meanwhile, the local government plans to extend the 14-day lockdown in 11 locations that were placed under SCL, as it will continue its rapid testing on all individuals in the said areas. These areas are Sitio Militar in Baranagy Bahay Toro; Vargas Compound-Adelfa Metro Heights-Abanay and Ancop Canada in Barangay Culiat; Lower Gulod in Barangay Sauyo; 318 Dakila Street, 2nd Alley Kalayaan B and Masbate Street in Barangay Batasan Hills; and Victory Avenue, ROTC Hunters, BMA Avenue and Agno Street in Barangay Tatalon. The QC-ESU conducted tests on 1,419 individuals in all 5 villages since it began rapid testing on May 21, Cruz said. Kimpo also reported that the distribution of food packs in all 11 areas was completed last May 17.
