The Quezon City government recorded on Wednesday another Mpox case, the sixth person to have contracted the disease in the locality, prompting city officials to tighten public health protocols and business regulations.
The Health Department’s City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division (CESD) said the 31-year-old male patient, a resident of Quezon City, tested positive for Mpox after exhibiting symptoms last Oct. 18. The patient said he visited the Fahrenheit Club (F Club) on Oct. 5.
According to the city government, this is the sixth time that the F Club was identified by patients as the possible place of exposure of confirmed Mpox cases.
Last Aug. 24, the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD) issued a cease-and-desist order to F Club over its refusal to cooperate with the city’s contact tracing team and violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Concern Act.
Despite the standing order, the BPLD received a new business application under the business name “F.I.N.E. Wellness bar and F.I.N.E spa” sharing the same address and facilities with F Club. The application is currently on hold after the inspectors’ findings.
Prior to the confirmation of the latest MPOX case, it turned out that the club resumed operation using a new business application, according to the city government.
“In the interest of public health, we are serving the closure order to F Club and this FINE Wellness Bar and Spa. Even if you change your business name, we will never allow you to operate until you have complied with the laws, ordinances and regulations of the city,” QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
“We will not allow that more QCitizen would face health risks. Ensuring the safety and well-being of our QCitizens remains our primordial duty,” she maintained.
According to the city mayor, the local government would conduct a forum with all spas, wellness and entertainment establishments this week to prevent the spread of the disease.
