MAYOR Oscar Moreno admitted on Thursday, April 23, that he is inclined and tempted to reopen some establishments in the city, as Cagayan de Oro continues to show good health data in the fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Moreno, however, said he will take time in deciding and coming up with a calibrated action plan.
"Gusto ko na iadjust na, naa nay reopening, I'm tempted already, pero dili lang sa ta magdali-dali. Let us give ourselves a few days," he said.
On March 17, Moreno ordered the closure of malls and other non-essential stores in the city, except supermarkets, grocery and convenience stores, pharmacies, and restaurants.
Moreno said among those he wants to reopen are stores selling spare parts and telecommunication companies, among others. If he decides to open the said establishments, the mayor said they will still be required to observe social distancing.
"At this time, di gyud ta makaingon nga we are going to do that already kay lisod unahan ang national government kay at the end of the day, the DOH (Department of Health) really should be the guidepost sa decisions labina health issue kini sya," he said.
Moreno said he worries that reopening more stores might cause a resurgence of virus and worse, local transmission of the Covid-19.
"The worst that can happen kung aggressive ta sa pag reopen, only to find out nag resurge ang virus and that would complicate more. Simbako mag-resurge that will be local transmission mas lisod. Pugong lang sa ta. Let's decisively defeat the virus. That is my priority," Moreno said.
As of Thursday, April 23, the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) reported that the number of Covid-related patients admitted remains at nine.
Of the nine cases, seven are "suspected" Covid-19 cases, while two tested positive for the new virus.
The Covid-positive patients are both in stable condition and are awaiting results of their repeat swab test.
So far, only two Cagayan de Oro residents have tested positive for Covid-19. One of them already recovered. The other Kagayanon patient died in Davao City where he had been staying since last year for his cancer treatment.