COMMITTEE on Trade and Commerce chair George Goking on Monday reminded business establishments in the city to uphold minimum public health standards to further control the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Goking issued the statement after the Department of Health (DOH) in Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) confirmed on Friday last week that two of the 43 recently recorded Omicron variant cases in the country are constituents of the region.

“I am urging the public to follow minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks and observance of physical distancing as there is an increase in COVID-19 cases in the city,” said Goking.

He said the city's health indicators, average daily attack rate, and two-week growth rate are disturbingly rising.

Goking also said first time since the start of the pandemic, the country has breached the 30,000-mark in daily cases after the DOH recorded 33,169 additional COVID-19 infections today, Jan. 9, — the highest single-day tally so far.

“The Omicron variant is already here in the City,” said Goking, adding that the health authorities is now urging residents to refrain again from gatherings and always follow health protocols amid a surge of COVID-19 cases reported in the city, 10 days after New Year’s Day.

In addition, Goking said that the two patients – a student and a seaman - are residents of this city and nearby Iligan City, respectively.

Dr. Stephani Grace Zamora, cluster head for DOH-10's Regional Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (RESDRU), said the Iligan case was a 40-year-old seaman who arrived in the Philippines via Qatar Airways on December 16, 2021.

The second case was a 20-year-old college student who came from the United States and is currently in isolation in a facility in Manila.

Dr. Jasper Kent Ola, RESDRU-10 said the tagging of the two patients was based on the place of their residence.

Oro City Health Office on Monday, according to Goking also recorded new 30 Covid-19 infections today and 26 yesterday, Jan. 8 COVID-19 infections.

From 3 cases logged on Monday last week, increasing to 126 total active cases today, Jan. 9, according to Goking.

“Business establishments like restaurants, spas and salons should ensure high compliance by always observing health minimum standard in their indoor spaces.,” said Goking.

He added that although the uptick is expected due to more mobility of people, complacency will be the country's enemy as it moves toward overcoming the pandemic.

If we want to keep the economy open, we must do as we promised and enforce these safety measures, according to Goking. (Ben Balce)