Drinking sessions, other social gatherings cause COVID-19 surge in QC

The Quezon City government on Wednesday raised alarm over drinking sessions and wedding events that have caused a surge in COVID-19 cases in certain villages and led to them being placed under granular lockdown.

More than a year into the pandemic, the local government said rising cases in eight out of 27 areas under special concern lockdown were due to drinking sessions.

For instance, the city recorded 69 confirmed COVID-19 cases after a drinking session and a wedding event were held in Barangay Matandang Balara.

“This is what we want to prevent – COVID-19 positive individuals infecting others in social gatherings without minimum health standards being observed. This is why we keep reminding people that gatherings such as inuman sessions are still strictly prohibited,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement.

Belmonte condemned the "wanton disregard" for the community's health, adding that she instructed law enforcers to act on violators of safety measures and ordinances.

She added that local officials will conduct foot patrols to monitor drinking sessions in their areas.

Residents are encouraged to report their neighbors found violating COVID-19 health rules through Quezon City Hotline 122, the mayor also said.

Meanwhile, the city government recorded 88 index cases in Del Mundo St. in Barangay Talipapa; an area in K-10th St. in Barangay East Kamias; an area in Harvard St. in Barangay E. Rodriquez; Manggahan Citizen St., Interville III in Barangay San Agustin; Area 5 in Barangay Capri; Labordo Compound in Barangay Tandang Sora; Area 7, Luzon Ave., in Barangay Matandang Balara; and an area in Geronimo St., in Barangay Sta. Monica.

Also, Belmonte said 1,017 families in SCL areas already underwent swab testing to immediately detect, isolate and treat new COVID-19 cases.

As of June 2, Quezon City, largest city in the metropolis, recorded 96,406 cases of the severe viral ailment. Of the number, 2,932 are active cases, 92,362 are recoveries and 1,121 are fatalities. -Consuelo Marquez/MDM, GMA News