Quezon City first dose jabs hit 1.7 million

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has administered at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines to over 100 percent of its 1.7 million target population.

As of yesterday, a total of 1,701,211 residents and workers have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, representing 100.07 percent of its target to achieve population protection.

Of the number, 750,419 people have received second doses of COVID vaccines. Another 92,000 are considered fully vaccinated as they have received the single-shot Janssen jab.

Assuming that there is enough vaccine supply, Mayor Joy Belmonte said that the target population may be fully inoculated by Oct. 1.

Belmonte assured residents and workers that the local government would continue with the vaccination program even after achieving the target.

She expressed gratitude to health care workers and volunteers who are assisting in the vaccination rollout.

City hall encouraged those who have yet to be vaccinated to sign up in their barangays or through the QC Vax Easy online portal http://qceservices.quezoncity.gov.ph/qcvaxeasy.

COVID situation improving

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 situation in Quezon City has started to improve weeks after the enhanced community quarantine was implemented in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

According to the OCTA Research group, Quezon City recorded an average of 694 COVID-19 cases from Aug. 24 to 30, down five percent from the 727 average daily new cases recorded in the preceding week.

The city’s reproduction number, which indicates the number of people that a COVID-positive individual can infect, also dropped from 1.53 to 1.3.

Quezon City had an average daily attack rate of 21.79 per 100,000 population, the second lowest in Metro Manila.