BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – City Hall here has muted festivities as confirmed COVID cases spiked to more than 100 daily over the past three weeks of this month.
Meanwhile, in the far northern city of San Carlos, the bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese was brought to the hospital after testing positive for the disease recently.
The San Carlos Diocese said in its official social media page that Bishop Gerardo Alminaza showed symptoms but is in “stable condition” and has been responding to treatment.
As Alminaza recovers in the hospital, City Hall here and some local governments, have muted celebrations for an important Christian saint, John the Baptist, who is revered as the forerunner of Jesus Christ.
On Thursday, 24 June, mountain and beach resorts, restaurants, and cafes in four villages here will be temporarily closed as owners agreed to do so upon the urgings of city officials.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the one-day closure will be a “big boost” to the efforts of the city to contain the spread of the virus.
The upland villages of Granada and Alangilan are dotted by roadside cafes and eateries, after these were frequented by trail and mountain bikers drawn to the rough terrain of these places.
The coastal villages of Sum-ag and Punta Taytay, on the other hand, are lined by beach resorts frequented by revelers during the San Juan festival.