Cebu City intensifies info drive on Delta variant

CEBU, Philippines —  The Bantay Delta Task Force of the Cebu City’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) is now printing numerous leaflets containing information about the highly transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant.

The leaflets will have a list of health and safety protocols, emergency hotlines, as well as the quick response (QR) code for vaccination registration.

The contents were presented in vernacular Bisaya language so that it will be comprehensible for the Cebuano residents, especially those that have rare access on television or digital media; or have confusions on English or/and scientific terms.

“Gi narrate namo diri nga naka sud na diris atoa, ug nganong angay ta mahadlok aning Delta variant,” said Ramil Ayuman, CCDRRMO officer-in-charge.

The Department of Health revealed Thursday that there are 32 confirmed cases of Delta variant transmissions in Central Visayas of which six are from Cebu City.

The city also logged the highest number of active COVID-19 cases with 2,496 as of July 30, 2021.

“Mga bata sad kasagaran naigo nato ron, especially katong wala pay mga bakuna... mao nagbutang sad tag QR code para deretso ang pagparehistro,” said Ayuman.

The leaflets will be distributed starting Monday, two weeks after the Bantay Delta Task Force was activated. The team will enter the inner portions of the barangays especially those that are included in top ten with highest COVID-19 cases.

As of Friday, 51 out of 80 barangays in Cebu City have recorded COVID-19 cases. Among the top ten are (1) Guadalupe (2) Tisa (3) Talamban (4) Basak San Nicolas, Mabolo, Lahug (5) Kamputhaw (6) Punta Princesa (7) Bacayan, Banilad, Capitol Site, Kalunasan (8) Parian, San Roque, Zapatera (9) Labangon (10) Apas, Basak Pardo, Hiprodomo, Tinago.

The CCDRRMO have existing 14 ambulances of which six are for COVID-19 response.

In a related development, the Cebu City Council approved Wednesday a resolution seeking the assistance of Cebu City barangays with city-owned ambulances and barangay-owned ambulance to help in responding to emergency calls or COVID-19 related emergencies.

Authored by Councilor David Tumulak, it aims to answer the increasing need of emergency transportation as the number of COVID-19 cases in the city continually rise.

Initial meeting happened Thursday attended by Tumulak and the concern stakeholders, where seven barangays had already committed to take part. These are Budlaan, Ermita, Guadalupe, Kalunasan, Lorega San Miguel, Pamutan and Sudlon I.

According to Ayuman, with the additional ambulances, they are planning to ask City Administrator, Atty. Floro Casas Jr., if they can tap other City Hall departments for professional drivers and the City Health Office for at least 15 to 20 nurses to man the said emergency vehicles. — Dianah Rule D. Salinguhay, CNU Comm Intern, GMR (FREEMAN)