BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is planning to hold a four-day vaccination drive against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to bolster the slow uptake.
But Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday they have yet to set the date.
According to Lacson, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, will present new plans this week.
He stressed the importance of involving all inter-local health zones for the vaccination drive.
“Hopefully by this week we can already decide kun san-o ta ma-start,” said Lacson.
The number of fully-vaccinated Negrenses have so far reached 1,061,975, data from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 showed as of May 18.
The number of fully-vaccinated persons belonging to the general population is 927,006 or 64.84 percent, while senior citizens is 134,969 or 50.06 percent.
As the COVID-19 situation in Negros Occidental improves, Lacson is thinking of consulting mayors on the proposal to lift the province-wide 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.
According to Lacson, several businessmen were in favor of lifting already the province-wide curfew.
As of May 22, Negros Occidental only had nine active COVID-19 cases.
Total cases since March of 2020 is at 41,422 with 39,443 recoveries and 1,969 deaths./PN
