Mandaluyong COVID Cases Double, Mostly Condo Dwellers

Mandaluyong City is tightening enforcement of COVID protocols in condominiums, Mayor Carmencita Abalos said Wednesday, after cases doubled in one week.

Abalos said many of the new cases in the city were condo dwellers who probably caught the virus while out for work or errands. She said that while entire buildings couldn't be locked down, floors with cases were being guarded.

Building administrators were also told to shut gyms, swimming pools and other ammenities and strictly enforce temperature checks and foot baths before entry, she told Teleradyo. 

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Abalos said the jump to 276 from 134 cases in just one week was "surprising (nakakagulat)." She said Mandaluyong recorded one case each of the UK and South African variants of COVID, both of whom recovered.

"Karamihan kasi sa amin na nagkaroon ng COVID, mga condominium. Karamihan diyan one lang per floor," she said.

Mandaluyong, located at the heart of Metro Manila, is home to several condominium clusters, shopping malls and business process outsourcing hubs.

Authorities have begun tightening enforcement of virus protocols as Metro Manila battles a surge in infections, just as vaccines began to roll out.