Over 6.6 million vaccine doses given in Central Visayas

CEBU, Philippines — Some 6,615,102 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have already been administered in Central Visayas as of January 9, 2022, about 4.5 million of which are in Cebu, data from the Visayas COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center showed.

Also, as of January 6, 2022, the region has received a total of 8,405,552 doses of different vaccine brands.

VVOC spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche presented data yesterday showing that 3,662,131 first doses, 2,885,348 second doses, and 67,623 booster doses have been given across the region.

Of the total doses administered, 4,568,79 doses were in Cebu; 1,062,440 doses in Bohol; 859,206 doses in Negros Oriental; and 124,666 doses in Siquijor.

Central Visayas has an eligible population of 5,638,340 for the COVID-19 vaccination. As of January 9, the region has fully vaccinated 2,886,348 individuals.

The region had initially set the end of 2021 as the target to complete the vaccination campaign. However, Loreche said it may take six months or more to complete the drive.

She said some people still don't feel comfortable with the vaccines and continue to have the mindset that they are not needed. She added that some don’t also see getting vaccinated a priority.

Don’t go too early

In Cebu City, health authorities have reiterated their appeal to the public not to go to the vaccination sites too early.

This after it was noted that some minors and their parents/guardians line up at the Cebu City Sports Center vaccination site as early as 1 a.m. when vaccination starts at 8 a.m. yet.

CHD officer-in-charge Dr. Jeffrey Ibones has been appealing to parents not to go to vaccination sites with their children way too early for their safety and security.

However, the calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears, especially at a time when the city is seeing a sharp spike in new cases.

“Ayaw lang sad kaayo og sayo kay, una, ngitngit kaayo ang inyoha. Mopadong diri, risgo,” Ibones said, suggesting that parents and their minor children can instead visit the sites in the afternoon when it’s not so crowded.

Ibones also asked for more understanding from those who may not be entertained right away, saying the city government is doing its best to vaccinate as many people as possible.

“Naningkamot gyud ang siyudad sa Sugbo nga mabakunahan gyud ang tanan. Mangayo lang mi gamayg pasensiya. Dunay mga gitawag nato og kalibog usahay. Daghan kaayog tawo. Hopefully, ato ning mahuman gyud ang bakuna basta og unsay naa karon atong hutdon,” he said.

With the increasing demand, the SM Seaside City will be open for vaccinating minors starting today, January 11.

Meanwhile, the schedule of vaccination for minors at CCSC will be adjusted. Vaccinators will now be serving CCSC under two shifts, the first expected to begin at 6 a.m.

With the CCSC grandstand roofing also damaged by the recent typhoon, parents are advised to just stay on the ground while waiting for their children to be vaccinated for everyone’s safety.

Lapu-Lapu City

In Lapu-Lapu City, the head of City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Grace Carungay, has urged the people to remain vigilant and strictly follow health and safety protocols even as there is no reported Omicron case in the city yet.

“Dili sad ta angayan mokompyansa. Angayan nato na i-consider tanan nato mga cases, possible nga Delta o Omicron (variants),” she said.

Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan told reporters that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) met with Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles yesterday on the city’s earlier request to deescalate its quarantine level from Alert Level 3.

He said the request still being deliberated upon.

Chan already sent a formal appeal to IATF about the “mistake of information” sent by the City Hospital nurse to the task force that caused the task force to place the city under Alert Level 3.

The nurse stated that there are more patients than hospital beds at the city hospital as there were no more available beds.

This alarmed the IATF, not knowing that those confined were not COVID-19 cases.

Chan explained to the task force that the city has the lowest number of COVID-19 cases among Metro Cebu cities.

Carungay said that based on their contact tracing report, most of those who recently tested positive had travel history.

In a recent City Emergency Operation Center (EOC) meeting, it was revealed that eight individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 were returning overseas Filipino workers or coming from Manila.

EOC reported that Lapu-Lapu City still has zero existing COVID-19 case, particularly one that stemmed from a community transmission.

But even so, Carungay appealed to everyone to continue wearing facemask, maintain social distancing, and avoid crowded places and activities.

She admitted that COVID cases are increasing right after the Christmas season, blaming the same on parties and crowding activities.

She said that most of these cases are asymptomatic but they cannot conclude yet that the increase in cases is caused by the Omicron variant. – Caecent N. Magsumbol, JMD (FREEMAN)