Active COVID-19 cases in Makati increased by 300%, says Mayor Binay

Active COVID-19 cases in Makati City have increased by at least 300% in a span of one week, with most of the cases already vaccinated against the infection, Mayor Abby Binay said on Tuesday.

In a television interview, Binay said there are 311 active cases in Makati as of Tuesday, of which 284 are under home quarantine, 13 hospitalized, and 14 staying in a quarantine facility.

The current number of active cases is 54 higher compared to Monday's 257 active cases. The city reported a total of 45,464 total infections on Monday.

Meanwhile, there were only 36 active cases out of the 45,215 total confirmed cases in Makati as of December 28.

“We have to remember that we started at a very low number. We were even as low as 18 at the end of last month. I guess we don’t focus much on the 300% but we actually really focus on the number itself,” Binay said on ANC.

Binay also said that although most of the 311 active cases were vaccinated, this should not discourage people from getting the COVID-19 jabs as it would still prevent them from getting hospitalized.

“It is very apparent that most of the cases, if not majority, are actually vaccinated individuals but they’re the ones that comprise the mild and asymptomatic,” she said.

Binay added that there is also no problem with the vaccine supply, even of booster shots, in the city. She said residents from other cities or municipalities could get their boosters in Makati as long as they register online or on-site.

The National Capital Region is currently under Alert Level 3 until January 15. The provinces of Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal, meanwhile, will be placed under the same level from January 5 to 15, 2022, due to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday said unvaccinated residents in Metro Manila would be ordered to stay at home unless they are buying and accessing essential goods and services while the NCR is under Alert Level 3.

The Philippines on Monday logged 4,084 additional COVID-19 infections, bringing the total tally to 2,855,819.

There were 16 new fatalities due to COVID-19, raising the death toll to 51,586, while total recoveries reached 2,779,241, with 497 new ones. —KBK, GMA News