Public told to still follow health protocols amid relaxed curbs

Residents of Western Visayas are reminded not to be complacent and always observe health protocols as quarantine classifications in Western Visayas are already being relaxed.

Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te, Medical Officer III at the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD), in an interview recently, said the region is now classified as low-risk and cases are already on a downward trend.

She said the region’s average case per day as of November 2 is 130 compared to 650 in June, 596 in July and August, 820 in September, and 417 in October.

“Our cases have improved because of majority of our people have already avail of vaccination and we maintain minimum public health standards. But we continue to encourage those who are not inoculated to avail of the vaccination,” she said.

She added that they are looking forward for the trend to continue should more eligible population would avail of the vaccines, especially from the group of senior citizens and adults with comorbidities.

As of Thursday, the region’s fully-vaccinated population included 129,459 from the group of health care workers or 117 percent of the target number; 331, 046 or 50 percent from the senior citizens; 479, 983 or 92.14 percent for the adults with comorbidities; 390, 562 or 15.56 percent for front line essential health workers; and 109, 607 or 20.65 percent from the indigent population.

The rollout of pediatric vaccination also added protection to the young population, she added.

The majority of the severe and critical cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are those who are not vaccinated, she said.

All provinces of Western Visayas have been placed under Alert Level 2 until November 14, Iloilo City on Alert Level 3, and Bacolod City under Alert Level 4.

“Usually normal activities can already resume but we remind public of precautions and follow health guidelines at all times,” she said.

Wearing face masks, safe physical distancing, and frequent hand washing can help.

Data from the DOH WV CHD Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) showed that as of November 3, the region has 130, 673 recoveries, 8, 964 active cases, and 3, 518 deaths. (PNA)