QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Areas under lockdown in Muntinlupa City climbs to seven (7) as the local government has imposed a stricter community quarantine for a residential building in Alabang due to the clustering of COVID-19 cases.

Building 17 in Filinvest Socialized Housing, Brgy. Alabang has been placed under a 14-day Extreme Localized Community Quarantine (ELCQ) starting 6:00 p.m. of August 19 until September 2, 6:00 p.m. Filinvest Socialized Housing is an 18-building residential complex.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi clarified that the lockdown will only take place in Bldg. 17 and not for the whole complex. However, Fresnedi urged residents in the adjacent buildings to exercise extra caution and strictly observe health protocols such as wearing of face mask and face shield, physical distancing, and frequent handwashing.

As of August 18. there are 7 active cases in Bldg. 17 which has a population of 115 residents. The attack rate in the building has increased to 608.69 per 10,000 population from 437.78 per 10,000 population last week. The doubling time in the area also narrowed to at least 4 days.

Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) chief Dr. Juancho Bunyi said the local government decided to impose the ELCQ in the building as clustering of cases was observed and due to the presence of high risk groups in the area such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and children under five years old.

“The community is congested and units are close together, that’s why transmission is really high. If we allow the mobility of people in the building, the risk of transmission will be greatly enhanced,” Bunyi said.

He also noted that social distancing and the strict use of face masks are not strictly followed.

Total lockdown protocols will be implemented in the community and residents will be prohibited to go out of their residences, except for emergency.

Muntinlupa CHO is set to reinforce mass testing and contact tracing in the areas. While the City Social Service Department and Barangay will provide food packs and other basic items for the affected residents during the effectivity of the ELCQ. Further, the PNP Muntinlupa is set to secure the two communities and shall augment roving personnel in nearby areas to ensure the public’s strict compliance to health protocols.

Other areas under the ELCQ include: Angelo St., Horrileno St., Endencia St., Paredes St., and Barrera St. in Katarungan Village, Brgy. Poblacion from August 19 to September 2, Purok 3, Molera Compound in Barangay Sucat and Purok 7, Beatriz Compound, De Mesa L & B Street in Barangay Alabang from August 6 to August 27, Block 8, Hills View and Mangga St., Lakeview Homes in Barangay Putatan from August 12 to August 26 and Chico St., Laguerta in Barangay Tunasan under ELCQ from August 10 to August 25.

As of August 18, Muntinlupa City has 17,312 confirmed cases with 14,872 recoveries, 2,028 active cases, 412 reported deaths, 28 suspect cases, and 2,368 probable cases. (Muntilupa PIO/PIA-NCR)