DOH reiterates health advisories for safe holidays
By Carlito Dar
BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – – The Cordillera region’s COVID – 19 epidemic level has improved to minimal risk, but the Department of Health advises the public not to be complacent to ensure a safe and healthy Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Based on the December 13 data of the DOH – CAR, Cordillera has an Average Daily Attack Rate of 0.77 percent and a 2 – Week Growth Rate of negative (-) 63%.
In terms of health care utilization rate, the region’s bed utilization rate is down to 23% and ICU utilization is at 28%. The utilization rate of the region’s Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) is down at 1%.
On COVID – 19 case update, the DOH – CAR’s December 15 bulletin shows that Cordillera active cases are down to 144 with 90,697 recoveries, and 2,232 death cases.
As per Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID – 19, the whole of Cordillera like the rest of the country is placed under Alert Level 2 until the end of the year.
In spite of the improving COVID – 19 situation, DOH – CAR Assistant Regional Director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan advises the public to strictly follow the minimum public health protocols such as maintaining physical distancing, wearing a face mask, clean hands, avoiding crowded places, covering cough, sneezes and stay at home if not feeling well. She also calls on eligible individuals who are not yet vaccinated to get their COVID-19 jabs for their protection.
“Vaccination is the safest way for our bodies to develop immune protection against COVID – 19 while relatively new vaccines are already proven safe,” Pangilinan stressed.
Meanwhile, vaccination activities continue in Cordillera and the December 15 – 17 Bayanihan, Bakunahan National Vaccination Days Part 2 smoothly opened Wednesday with a total of 17,378 total jabs administered across the region.
As of December 14 data of the Regional Vaccination Operations Center, a total of 1,785,029 vaccines were administered to 12 years old and above eligible population in Cordillera.
In line with the national target of vaccinating 70% of the population by yearend, the Cordillera has 81.08% partially vaccinated and 65.93% fully vaccinated out of the regional target of 1,275,904 individuals.(JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
