ILOILO City – The city government will spend P100 million for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines should these become available next year.
According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, city hall workers and barangay officials would be given priority access to the vaccine.
“We don’t know when the vaccine will be available next year, but as far as Iloilo City is concerned, I want to assure you that we will purchase vaccines for you and your families,” said Treñas.
Without divulging further details, the mayor said he already identified the source of fund.
Earlier, the executive branch of the city government submitted a proposed P2.7-billion budget for fiscal year 2021 to the city council.
In the meantime, Treñas wants a wider and strengthened information drive on COVID-19. Majority of the city’s residents, based on a recent survey, believed they are not vulnerable to the viral infection.
The Random Access Consultants, Inc. survey commissioned by the city government covered 200 respondents aged 18 to 60 years old in seven districts.
“We will continue to look for strategies to flatten the curve and secure every Ilonggo. Let us work together and continue to observe the health protocols to combat the virus,” the city mayor said.
From Nov. 1 to 5, the city is having an average of 16 COVID-19 cases daily, a significant decrease from 23 and 46 average daily cases recorded last month.
Also, since Oct. 1, the city still has 22 barangays without COVID cases registered.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
Most people (about 80 percent) recover from the disease without needing special treatment, according to the World Health Organization./PN
