‘Soccsksargen, BARMM potential COVID-19 hotspots’

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Soccsksargen are “potential hotspots” for COVID cases, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

In an interview with ”The Chiefs” on OneNews on Monday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the two regions are lagging behind in vaccination against COVID.

“In terms of hotspots, if the vaccination coverage in an area is low, we closely monitor it because of the probability of a lot of cases and a lot of severe and critical cases that may occur,” she said.

The vaccination rate in BARMM is the lowest in the country at only 28 percent.

Vergeire assured the public that the government has initiated measures to increase the vaccination coverage in BARMM and Soccsksargen.

She said special vaccination days would be conducted in BARMM starting today.

“Vaccination is not prohibited during this time of Ramadan, according to the Office of the Bangsamoro Mufti,” Vergeire said.

The DOH said vaccination activities would also be conducted in Soccsksargen, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Palawan until May 20.