The Cebu City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Thursday reported individuals tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have reached 11 percent of the city’s population, calling it a major milestone in its mass testing efforts.

According to EOC data, the total number of tested individuals in Cebu City already reached 103,568 since April this year.

This capital city’s population is now estimated at 980,070.

EOC data further showed that from April to August this year, or a period of five months, the total number of individuals tested breached the 50,000 mark, which is around 5 percent of the city’s population.

From September to November, the number of individuals tested doubled to 103,568 in just three months.

Dr. Carol Cajegas, EOC data analyst, said the data clearly showed the city’s aggressive push for testing.

“The fact that the number of tested individuals has doubled in almost half the time it took in the previous months, only speaks of our increased and coordinated efforts in contact tracing and testing. Covid-19 gave us a challenge, and we answered with aggressive testing,” Cajegas said in a statement.

As of Dec. 2, Cebu City reported 20 new Covid-19 recoveries and only eight new cases, with 215 remaining active cases in the city.

Mayor Edgardo Labella on Wednesday expressed hope that this trend of fewer cases reported would continue. “I am happy about this development because we have entered December on a positive note,” he said in Cebuano.

The mayor reiterated his call to the public to remain cautious and not be complacent.

“Let us continue to observe the minimum health protocols so we will have a peaceful and happy Christmas celebration,” Labella said. (PNA)