Sitio Zapatera in Barangay Luz, Cebu City becomes the instant epicenter of coronavirus in the province as the Department of Health (DOH) now considered the entire population in the Sitio are “Infected.”

City Health Officer Daisy Villa confirmed twenty-four (24) new cases of COVID-19 in Sitio Zapatera and three (3) other patients in Lapu-Lapu City marking the new record in Cebu to 90 COVID-19 patients of total confirmed cases as of writing.

Villa said authorities has conducted immediate contact tracing after learning of confirmed cases in the area and found out patients in both ends.

“The whole area is already considered as infected. Na-contact trace naman nato. Based sa atong nakuha, dunay positive cases sa duha ka tumoy (sa sitio),” Villa said.

This is likely the first time that the health authorities described the entire community in the sitio “presumed contaminated.”

According to Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, the twenty-four (24) new positive cases in the reported area of Sitio Zapatera were asymptomatic or patients were not showing any symptoms of the disease.

Luz Barangay Captain Ronilio Sab-a told reporter that they’re now preparing the Bario Luz National High School to accommodate isolated asymptomatic patients. Among the those tested positive in the Sitio are the two (2) 9-months; 1 boy and 1 girl who are brought to the Cebu City Medical Center.

Sab-a noted that the entire barangay will not be put under lockdown but he assured that the community of Sitio Zapatera is isolated from the rest of the barangay in the since that Sitio Zapatero is an isolated area.

“Kay gi-lock down ang Sitio Zapatera kay isolated man siya na lugar, naa siya lahi na community. So pwede kana siya i-lock down… Unya sa mga test na prove man nga daghan na gyud positive, so kailangan na gyud siya i-lockdown,” the village chief said.

Sab-a is requesting the public to understand the situation and obey government advisory.

“Maximum tolerance ta para ma-minimize nato ang cases. Stay at home lang ta, di na ta magpagahi og ulo karon. Understand the situation nga huot gyud na ang mga balay dira, pero the best way nga malikayan gyud ni siya kay to stay at home,” he said.

What can you say about this report of COVID-19 cases in Sitio Zapatera in Barangay Luz, Cebu City? Share your thoughts here in the comment box below.