Mandaluyong is a highly urbanized city in Metro Manila with a total population of 386,276 as of 2015. Like other parts of the metropolis, it has been affected by the spread of the coronavirus. As of March 28, there are 39 persons infected in Mandaluyong. According to the Mandaluyong City Public Information Office, the city has 422 persons under monitoring (PUMs) and 132 under investigation(PUIs). There are 3 confirmed deaths from the virus and 6 deaths as PUIs.
’Stay at home and stay lives’ is placed on police vehicles patrolling the streets of Mandaluyong. People are discouraged loitering the streets ever since the Enhanced Community Quarantine was implented. The measure is considered inadequate by organizations critical of the Duterte administration. No less World Health Organization stated that in order to quell the pandemic, mass testing should be done in areas with confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Customers fall in line at a busy public market in Mandaluyong to purchase meat products. ’Social distancing’ tend to be difficult to implement at heavily populated areas due to the limited time given to citizens to buy basic necessities.
Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, these men take time to smile and gamely pose for the camera while cleaning the streets.
Different signs could be seen at the entrance of communities in Mandaluyong. The ‘Enhanced Community Quarantine’ is euphemism for lockdown. As of March 28, the Philipines has an additional 14 new coronavirus deaths and 272 new infections, marking the country’s largest daily increase. There is a total of 1,075 infected,68 dead and 35 recovered, according to the Department of Health. The virus shows no signs of slowing down despite the Luzon-wide lockdown.
