ILOILO – Guimbal has vaccinated 104 percent of its 25,302 target population against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), making it the first municipality in this province to achieve herd immunity from the disease.
“I got the news halin sa aton municipal health officer, Dr. Jay Dorin. Nagsobra pa kita sa target,” Mayor Jennifer Garin-Colada confirmed to Panay News on Friday.
But despite reaching herd immunity, Colada said, vaccination especially of the pediatric population and booster shots for healthcare workers will continue.
Guimbal has around 36,000 vaccine-eligible residents in 33 barangays: Bagumbayan (365), Libo-on Gonzales (268), Gerona-Gimeno (546), Rizal-Tuguisan (1,493), Calampitao (681), Buluangan (639), Cabubugan (1,545), Nanga (1,477), Lubacan (507), Particion (1,257), Girado-Magsaysay (406), Nalundan (1,535), Iyasan (371), Gotera (119), Pescadores (629), Baras (1,037), Santa Rosa-Laguna (1,481), Cabasi (881), Igcocolo (2,787), Nitoan Lupsag (438), Torreblanca-Bluementrirr (368), Burgos-Gengos (580), Bulad (683), Generosa-Cristobal Colon (576), Binanua-an (500), Camangahan(1,776), Bacong (371), Bongol San Vicente (1,822), Sipitan-Badiang (636), Nahapay (1,233), Balantad-Carlos Fruto (1,133), Bongol-San Miguel (357), and Anono-o (758).
“Sa senior citizens ginapangita namon kon sin-o pa ang indi kahalin sa ila balay kag indi kakadto sa banwa para makadtoan sang vaccination team,” said Colada.
What are Guimbal’s strategies to expedite herd immunity?
Colada said the municipal government opened the covered gym early for the general population. In the first months, the vaccination teams went to the barangays to inoculate senior citizens and persons with comorbidities. However, the turnout was low.
“So ang gin-obra sang MHO (municipal health office) kaupod sang LGU amo nga gin-open ang municipal gym kag kon sin-o ang gusto magpabakuna magkadto lang. Effective sia,” said Colada.
A massive vaccination campaign also helped, the mayor added.
“Gin-explain sa ila kon ano ang makuha kon malab-ot ang herd immunity kag ano ang obrahon kay kalabanan gusto man makabalik sa normal nga pangabuhi,” said Colada.
She also reminded the public to continue observing the minimum public health standards like wearing of facemask, physical distancing and frequent hand washing.
As of Dec. 2, data from the Provincial Health Office showed Guimbal had 1,066 total confirmed cases – 13 active, 1,126 recovered and 27 deaths.
Panay Island’s first COVID-19 case was recorded in Guimbal last year./PN
