Over 100,000 vaccinated in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has vaccinated more than 100,000 people against the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

At a virtual press briefing yesterday, Mayor Joy Belmonte said a total of 106,395 residents, healthcare workers and other members of the priority sectors have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines.

They were inoculated with Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.

“We are proud to report that we have more than 100,000 people who are protected from virus,” Belmonte said. “While this is still a small percentage compared to our population, this is already an achievement in our battle against COVID-19.”

Of the number of vaccinees, 17,257 are medical and non-medical workers from Levels 1 and 2 hospitals in Quezon City; 26,233 from Level 3 hospitals, and 62,905 frontliners, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities.

Another 3,400 people were inoculated at the vaccination site at SM City North EDSA Skydome. Members of the Quezon City Police District and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology were also vaccinated.

There are 14 vaccination sites in the city, with plans for expansion in the coming weeks.

Belmonte said they are in talks with private companies, civic organizations and other groups, including transport and homeowners associations, regarding the vaccination program.

Joseph Juico, co-chairman of the vaccination task force, said the private sector would be providing the venue and medical personnel for the inoculation program.

On Monday, the city government opened a vaccination site at the SM City North EDSA Skydome to cater to mall employees under the A1 to A3 categories, particularly those who are medical frontliners, senior citizens and adults with comorbidities.

Also vaccinated were elderly residents of Barangay Sto. Cristo, where the mall is located, and its nearby barangays.

Fully booked

City hall has stopped the online booking for vaccine schedules as it is already fully booked until Saturday.

“We have a limited supply of vaccines and we are waiting for the arrival of additional doses from the Department of Health,” it said in an advisory.

“If your registration with EZConsult has been approved, we advise you to check for slots until Saturday. Do not book a schedule ahead of that date,” it added.

The city government said it would open the online booking if additional vaccines arrive in the next days.

Officials reminded residents to book only if they belong to the first three priority groups: medical frontliners, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities.

More hospital beds

The Quezon City government is preparing at least 30 additional beds to accommodate more COVID-19 patients in three public hospitals, Belmonte said.

She said additional beds at the Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH), Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital (RMBGH) and Novaliches District Hospital (NDH) would be available next week.

These hospitals have reached full capacity for COVID-19 patients, with QCGH at 119 percent, RMBGH at 146 percent and NDH at 107 percent.

Belmonte said they are also planning to open additional isolation facilities with over 1,000 beds.

Earlier this week, two new quarantine sites that can accommodate 336 mild and asymptomatic cases opened at the Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines in Diliman.

Belmonte said the Department of Education has approved the use of five public schools in the city that can accommodate 351 COVID-19 patients.

The mayor said more isolation facilities are being prepared, which are expected to accommodate 526 patients.

Belmonte said they would put up X-ray machines in some of the isolation facilities.

“Hopefully, this can help hasten the transfer of patients to quarantine facilities and decongest our hospitals,” she said.

The local government has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for the allocation of 8,000 RT-PCR test kits to boost testing capabilities.

The PRC will also provide the city with antigen test kits.