DOH-7 amid spike in COVID-19 cases: Stop Novena? Ask CH

CEBU, Philippines —  While it has branded as “very alarming” the ongoing Novena Masses at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño for admitting live audience, the Department of Health in Central Visayas, nevertheless, said it has no power to stop the religious services for the Fiesta Señor this year.

“We cannot stop the Novena Masses. We already gave guidelines and it’s up to the local government units to implement it,” DOH-7 spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche told The FREEMAN yesterday.

According to Loreche, DOH is just a recommendatory body that gives guidelines.

“I believe they know already what to do. As to the implementation, it’s up to the LGU,” she said.

Cebu City saw a spike in new cases over the last 11 days, nearly tripling the total active cases from 118 as of December 29, 2020 to 331 as of January 9, 2021.

Loreche attributed this to the Misa de Gallo and the gatherings during the holidays.

“We have (had) higher number of active cases and daily since end of December. We have double-digit new cases,” she said on Saturday, adding “there is too much movement of people, including crowding, and the improper use of face masks and face shields is noticeable.”

As to why the Novena Masses are a health threat, Loreche explained: “Kana maoy very alarming kay although gituman ang 30 percent capacity inside the venue, and people are wearing facemasks and face shields, but imong makita ang mga tawo, labi na sa gawas, kay magdutdot gyud.”

The situation outside the basilica has since eased, though, after authorities have put up LED screens at the nearby Plaza Independencia, where there is enough space to accommodate devotees and practice social distancing.

Today is the fourth of the nine-day Novena Masses.

Loreche earlier said that the number of COVID-19 cases started to increase in Cebu City and in Cebu in general towards the end of December 2020.

DOH-7 data showed that from December 28, 2020 to January 9, 2021, Cebu registered 545 cases, of which 302 are in Cebu City, 138 in Cebu Province, 60 in Mandaue City, and 45 in Lapu-Lapu City.

Loreche said the cases in Cebu City are expected to further increase because of the crowding at the basilica.

She also warned that from the current modified general community quarantine, it is possible that the city may be reverted to general community quarantine status unless the situation is controlled.

Where’s data?

However, the Emergency Operations Center in Cebu City has maintained that the policies to combat the pandemic must be based on data and science.

“As we always say, we are data-driven, science-based and (we believe in) a shared responsibility,” EOC deputy chief implementer and City Councilor Joel Garganera said when asked to comment on the proposal to possibly cancel the religious activities that are drawing in crowds.

From the new cases monitored by the EOC from Dec. 26 to Jan. 8, Garganera said outside transmission accounted for a huge chunk of the pie at 67.85 percent compared to household infection at 31.74 percent. He said most of the new infections involved medical frontliners and employees and that these new cases were believed to have been contracted in the workplaces and social gatherings.

Garganera said EOC data showed that there were only four recent cases that, based on contact tracing efforts, were likely to have been contracted from the misa de gallo or Simbang Gabi Masses.

“Of the 259 cases, (there was) only one case where the positive individual has a history of hearing mass during the misa de gallo. To me, those who went to church were properly protected because of the use of facemasks and face shields,” he said on Saturday.

“On the other hand, as for private gatherings, they really lower their guards by not wearing any protective mask, making the probability of transmission very high. Kaon, kanta, tabi ug inom sa grupo maoy hinungdan sa pagkuyanap ning maong COVID,” he added.

Palma’s call

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has reminded the faithful not to attend Novena Masses at the basilica if they are unwilling to follow the health protocols.

Reiterating what he had said in one of the misa de gallo he celebrated, he said that sacrifices have to be made because of the pandemic.

According to Palma, there is no difference between worshipping the Holy Child at the basilica and at any other parish.

The archdiocese, he said, is in the process of identifying five parishes that will receive pilgrim images of the Santo Niño from the Augustinian friars. This way, devotees can take a glimpse of the Holy Child without having to go to the basilica.

So far, among the parishes identified are Boljoon, Danao City, and Balamban, while the other two are still being finalized.

Palma appealed to the Catholics to continue to follow health standards and not be overconfident.

As part of the safety measures, basilica officials have also decided to do away with the traditional Sinulog dance after the day’s final Novena Mass. Basilica spokesperson Fr. Ric Anthony Reyes said this is aimed at helping reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.

Security

On the aspect of security, police said they have implemented additional security measures to strengthen the peace and order situation at the basilica.

Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for operations of Cebu City Police Office, said that as ordered by Mayor Edgardo Labella, only Cebu City residents with valid quarantine passes and those considered authorized persons outside residence (APOR) are allowed to enter the basilica.

Parilla noted the observation that many devotees have now resorted to witnessing the proceedings virtually.

“That's a good improvement na ang mga tawo mas gusto nalang mag-online kay aron mogamay nalang ang moadto sa simbahan,” he said.

Parilla also said they are anticipating more devotees in the following days, especially during the weekend, but quickly added that they are ready for such influx.

“That's why naa tay critique (sessions) everyday para nga atong ma-adjust ug ma-address kung unsay mga problema,” he said.

With the opening of the Plaza to devotees, Parilla said CCPO has also deployed police personnel to man the area, along with personnel from City Hall’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, and Beautification team and the City Environment Sanitation Enforcement Team.  - Rowena D. Capistrano, Caecent No-ot Magsumbol and Hazel Iris M. Mascardo, JMD (FREEMAN)