Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas here on Tuesday said it is better to target “zero” coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases even if it is difficult to achieve in densely populated localities.
“The virus is still here. Cases are rising. But for me, for cities with huge population like Talisay, it’s difficult to achieve zero Covid cases. While that remains the goal, it may be difficult,” Gullas said in a statement posted on his social media page.
Gullas said the city once recorded only two active Covid-19 cases but the number recently went up to 12.
The mayor, however, said he saw the Covid-19 situation differently now than at the onset of the pandemic.
“Today testing is free and much faster. Today we have numerous testing labs that give results in 24 hours. Before it was three to seven days. Today the hospitals are not overwhelmed,” Gullas said as he commended medical front-liners for working hard to win the fight against Covid-19.
He said these days, the city has “numerous contact tracers in our barangays” and the “protocol is clear on what to do when we have cases”.
The EOC is much more ready these days than in April, he added.
The mayor warned that complacency is now the enemy, stressing that while many are going back to work to get the economy back on track, the coronavirus is still very much around.
Gullas assured that the city would concentrate on enforcing strict implementation of minimum health protocols like wearing of face mask and face shield in public transportation and physical distancing.
“I admit, we don’t have a perfect government and we cannot be in all places at once. So we need the help of everyone, let’s help one another,” he said, adding that while the vaccine is not yet readily available, the people should not lower their guard against Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has issued a new executive order disallowing “unauthorized” persons in the capital city after his locality logged 89 Covid-19 cases logged over the weekend.
Talisay City shares a border with the City of Cebu. (PNA)
