The Iloilo City Government has again asked for the cooperation of the public amid the rising cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
On Monday, July 11, the city recorded 85 new COVID-19 infections, the highest since June this year.
From July 1 to 10, the city’s daily COVID-19 cases averaged at 45, data from the City Health Office (CHO) showed.
CHO officer-in-charge (OIC) Dr. Annabelle Tang, who also serves as head of the City COVID-19 Team, urged the public to strictly follow the minimum public health standards.
“We know for a fact nga nagbalik na kita sa new normal and indi ta na mapunggan. Siyempre everybody wants to go out and earn a living. But we have to stick to the protocols,” she stressed.
Tang observed that many are no longer wearing their face masks.
She also emphasized the importance of getting booster shots as these will give additional layer of protection against COVID-19.
“You need to have booster shot para makamount ka sang enough anti-bodies against the virus,” Tang explained.
As of July 10, 130 percent of the city’s target population have received their first dose of the vaccine, 127 percent are considered fully vaccinated, and 39 percent have gotten their booster shots.
The COVID-19 Team also recommended Mayor Jerry Treñas to highly discourage gatherings in enclosed spaces.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 Team spokesperson Jeck Conlu vowed to strengthen the enforcement of health protocol at the barangay level as well as in various establishments in the city.
Aside from waning compliance with protocols, the increase is also blamed on the highly transmissible Omicron version of the coronavirus.
The city logged at least 90 cases of the Omicron sub variant in the last two weeks, according to City Molecular Laboratory chief Chiqui Blancaflor.
Despite the continuing rise of COVID-19 infections, Conlu clarified they will not impose lockdowns in the city.IMT
