QC LOGS 6TH MPOX CASE, ORDERS CLOSURE OF CLUB

THE Quezon City government on Wednesday reported another mpox (monkeypox) case, the sixth individual to have contracted the disease in the city.

The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (CESD) said that the patient, a 31-year-old male resident of the city, tested positive for mpox after exhibiting symptoms on October 18.

According to CESD chief Rolando Cruz, during a patient interview and case investigation report, the male city resident visited the F Club on October 5.

On October 31, the results were released to the Quezon City Health Department’s CESD.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte approved a recommendation from the City Health and Business Permit Departments to permanently close the Fahrenheit or F Club located on E. Rodriguez Avenue.

F Club has been identified several times as the possible place of exposure of confirmed mpox patients.

On Aug. 24, 2024, the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) issued a cease-and-desist order to F Club for refusing to cooperate with the city’s contact tracing team, and violating Republic Act 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Concern Act.

A compliance order on September 27 was released to reiterate the establishment’s need to comply with local and national laws.

Despite the standing cease-and-desist order, the BPLD received a new business application under the business name “F.I.N.E Wellness bar and F.I.N.E spa,” but sharing the same address and facilities with F Club.

Prior to the confirmation of the latest mpox case, it turned out that the club resumed operation using the new business application.

“In the interest of public health, we are serving the closure order to F Club and this FINE Wellness bar and Spa,” Belmonte said as she reiterated the importance of putting high value on public health.

“Kahit magpalit pa kayo ng business name, hindi namin kayo papayagang mag-operate hangga’t hindi pa kayo compliant sa mga batas, ordinansa at regulasyon ng lungsod,” she said.

The local government said it plans to hold a forum with different establishments likes spas and other wellness and entertainment establishments to address and curb the spread of mpox in the city.

“Hindi namin hahayaan na marami pang QCitizen ang malagay sa panganib. Ensuring the safety and well-being of our QCitizens remains our primordial duty,” Belmonte added.