Residents told to observe public health protocols

CHIEF COVID fighter Mayor Beng Climaco told Zamboanga residents to strictly observe public health protocols by wearing face masks in crowded areas, especially now that the campaign season for local candidates has begun.

“Ta hace acorda con todo el maga mejores para protege con el cuerpo desde el Covid-19 y maga nuevo variants, que ta esta un amenazo mundial,” Climaco said, referring to the Omicron variant and other mutations of the deadly respiratory virus.  

“Tiene Cuidao Zamboanga continues to be our call for action. This campaign highlights the importance of minimum health standards and the need for personal responsibility,” she added.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, also aired a similar warning following a spike in Covid-19 cases in Asia and Europe.

“The global increase in Covid-19, cases continues driven by large outbreaks in Asia and fresh waves in Europe. Several countries are now seeing their highest death rate since the beginning of the pandemic. This reflects the speed with which Omicron spreads and the heightened risk of death for those who are not vaccinated, especially older people.”

“We all want to move on from the pandemic, but no matter how much we wish it away. This pandemic is not over until we reach high vaccination coverage in all countries. We will continue to face the risk of infections surging and new variants emerging that evade vaccines,” he said.

Ghebreyesus said every country should target to vaccinate at least 70% of its population to ensure herd immunity.

“The target remains to vaccinate 70% of the population of every country by the middle of this year with priority given to health workers, older people and other at-risk groups. Achieving that target is essential to save lives, prevent the risk of long Covid, protect health systems and increase population immunity. Other tools, including testing sequencing and contact tracing also remain essential and it's vital that countries don’t abandon the capacities they have built over the past two years,” he said. (Zamboanga Post)