THE national task force on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response is sending a team to help manage the rising number of cases in Davao City.
Retired General Melquiades Feliciano, chief implementer for the COVID-19 response operations in the Visayas who handled the outbreaks in the cities of Cebu and Bacolod, is leading the Davao group.
Davao City has also been placed under a stricter quarantine level “effective immediately” until Nov. 30, based on a resolution signed Nov. 19 by the task force, according to Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque.
The resolution also directs the establishment of a One Hospital Command Center in the city along with the provision of additional medical supplies.
As of Nov. 19, the city had 1,874 active cases, more than triple the 539 as of Oct. 15. The city has recorded 5,520 COVID-19 cases, with 3,401 recoveries and 245 deaths.
Since the start of November, the city government has reimposed a 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, use of food-and-medicine pass to limit people’s movement, liquor ban, and strict border control. These measures will be in effect until Dec. 31. — Gillian M. Cortez