ILOILO – The Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas underscored the need to sustain the preventive measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Eligible individuals yet to avail themselves of COVID-19 booster doses were being encouraged to do so in their local health units.
DOH Region 6’s reiteration of the importance and the need for COVID-19 vaccination was reemphasized as other areas in the country noted an increase in cases especially among the unvaccinated.
Nevertheless, the cases and health care utilization rate (HCUR) remain low in Region 6, DOH said.
Dr. Adriano Suba-an, DOH-6 regional director, stressed the measures against COVID-19 must be sustained.
“COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses continue to be safe and effective against the COVID-19 disease. It provides the best long-term protection against the virus and its complications especially among senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals,” Suba-an noted.
In Western Visayas, more than 5.3 million out of the 5.6 million target, or 94 percent of the total population, have been fully vaccinated, data from the DOH-6 Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) showed.
Data also showed that COVID booster coverage remains low at 17.53 percent for first booster and 1.92 percent for second booster.
Second booster doses are given to health care workers, senior citizens, individuals with co-morbidities, and other vulnerable groups.
Aside from vaccination, the regional director still encouraged the wearing of facemasks when in crowded and closed spaces or gatherings to mitigate transmission not only of COVID-19 but also of other respiratory diseases.
Those who are manifesting symptoms, they are advised to isolate and refrain from interacting with others and to seek consult to the nearest health facility for proper medical attention.
As of April 17, COVID-19 Regional Case Bulletin of the DOH-6 showed the region still has 1,330 active cases of COVID-19.
Majority of these were from Iloilo province with 868, followed by Negros Occidental with 293, Iloilo City (86), Bacolod City (39), Aklan (27), Antique (eight), Guimaras (seven), and Capiz (two).
Of the active cases, 47.44 percent were asymptomatic, 43.31 percent were mild, 7.07 percent were moderate, and 2.18 were severe.
As to the region’s HCUR, 80 percent of the 1,670 total beds (isolation/COVID ward beds) are still available. For the intensive care unit beds, 82 percent of the 170 total beds are still available while 90 percent of the 155 total ventilators are on standby.
Late last month, Mayor Jerry Treñas and his wife, Rosalie ,tested positive for COVID-19. They have already recovered.
On April 15, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. also announced he contracted the disease./PN
