THE increasing number of cases in Iloilo City is due to tight contract tracing and mass testing efforts being done to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), an official said.

"We are doing everything we can to make the city safe," Mayor Jerry Treñas said.

Close monitoring and targeted testing is being done in barangays with increasing number of cases, such as San Isidro, Simon Ledesma and Cubay in Jaro; Bo. Obrero, Lapuz; Concepcion, City Proper; and Calaparan, Arevalo.

The City Government likewise ordered for disinfection of La Paz Health Center on Monday, September 21, after four of their nurses tested positive for coronavirus. Operations will resume Tuesday, September 22.

A 14-day lockdown starting September 17 is currently imposed in Dalayunan, the city's facility for male juveniles in conflict with the law, in Bo. Obrero. Food assistance is made available for them.

The mayor likewise ordered that all frontliners of the city will be swabbed every two weeks.

"We continue to call on everyone to strictly observe health protocols in order to curb the transmission of the virus," Treñas said. (PR)