THE DEPARTMENT of Health has lauded the local government’s Covid-19 response and its efforts in keeping a low tab on active cases.
Zamboanga City has only a little over three dozen active Covid cases due to the strict implementation of the health protocols ordered by Mayor Beng Climaco, head of the local Covid task force.
Health Assistant Secretary Romeo Ong congratulated the local government for keeping the number of active Covid cases below 100. “I congratulate the City (Government of Zamboanga) for keeping the active cases to below 100, we should not keep our guards down, especially on our borders,” he said.
Ong also urged residents to follow the strict health protocols, especially now that Covid cases spiked in other parts of the country.
“This pandemic proves again this is not only a national, but a global challenge. The virus recognizes no national boundaries, no difference in political system, in culture, in religion whatsoever. It attacks all of us the same way. So there is an even greater need for closer and more effective cooperation, it has to be a whole of government and whole of society approach,” he said.
“My message is to always keep the minimum health standards, keep masks and face shields on, social distance and washing of hands. No matter whether it is the variant or not, it is the same virus and the transmission is the same. For our health care workers, get vaccinated. We are about to go to the next batch of vaccines,” Ong added.
Climaco said the “raging battle” to stop, if not reduce the spread of the deadly respiratory virus and other Covid variants, is not only the work of government alone, but of everyone as everybody is vulnerable to the dreaded disease.
She again reminded residents not to be complacent and always use face mask and face shield in public places, and sanitize or wash hands with soap and water frequently, and comply with the community quarantine guidelines. “I am enjoining the public to please cooperate with and help government in the implementation of these health protocols,” she said.
City Health Officer Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite also echoed the same appeal. “While we have the vaccines, this is no time to relax and we still have to practice proper wearing of face mask and face shield, practice hand hygiene and observe physical distancing. Until we get 70% of our population vaccinated, we will not be really protected from infection and surges,” she said.
Climaco has repeatedly ordered the strict enforcement of health protocols at the borders and in different barangays to prevent the spread of Covid-19. She emphasized anew the need for mandatory RT-PCR testing for specific travellers based on the Executive Order 641 as well as the need for the imposition of curfew hours, adding.
“The strict enforcement of the regulations and protocols is being done to ensure that Covid-19 will not thrive in the city. All persons should be subject to compliance with the IATF-MEID and local government health protocols for everyone’s safety and protection. No queremos que se enfermen porque al final el gobierno local tiene que cuidarlos,” she said.
“We reiterate the need for public compliance on all safety and health protocols to prevent a spike in Covid cases. The wearing of face mask and face shield, washing hands often with soap and water, or alcohol, and the strict observance of physical distancing remain to be our main defense against Covid-19,” the mayor said.
The emergence of a new Philippine variant of Covid-19, and also the U.K. and South African variants have health officials and medical experts worried over the sudden spike of the disease, especially in the National Capital Region.
In Manila, Mayor Isko Moreno has imposed selective or “granular” lockdowns in different barangays even while the city is under General Community Quarantine due to the rising numbers of active Covid-19 cases there. “GCQ kami ngayon, pero buhay-ECQ,” he said, referring to the strictest quarantine status.
“Nagawa na natin yan noong ECQ. Nakapag-function naman yung gobyerno ng lungsod at nakapag-serbisyo naman 'yung tao. Precautionary measures lang,” he said.
The Manila mayor said there should be an increased vigilance in the country’s ports of entry due to the new Covid-19 mutations. “Isa siguro na pwede nating gawan ng assessment ay 'yung mga pumapasok na bagong variants na siya namang aking pinagtataka. Baka naman napapabayaan ng Bureau of Quarantine sa ating mga ports of entry via air and sea. Baka 'yung mga dumarating dito ay hindi nila masyadong nasisiyasat,” Moreno said. (Zamboanga Post)
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