Dabawenyos urged not to be complacent amid decreasing Covid-19 cases

Dabawenyos are advised to continue following the basic health measures and leave no room for complacency amid a decreasing trend of Covid-19 cases in Davao City.

In an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio, Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the Spokesperson of the COVID-19 Task Force, said that while the decline in the number of Covid-19 cases is a good thing, this should not be a reason for people to be complacent in following the minimum public health protocols such as wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and frequent washing of hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub.

And people are also encouraged to get two doses of the anti-Covid vaccines and a booster shot as an additional layer of protection against the risk of Covid-19 severe illness and death.

“Although we will see this [downtrend] a good sign ipaabot gihapon nato sa mga tao that we will have to be very vigilant sa pag-follow sa minimum public health standards (Although we see this downtrend of cases as a good sign, we will still have to advise the public to be very vigilant in following the minimum public health standards),” Schlosser said.

Schlosser said that the number of cases will still depend on compliance with the minimum public health standards.

According to Schlosser, the prediction on the continuation of the surge until March still stands and could still happen.

“Para sa atoa in City Health Office, we will not be very confident kasi anytime pwede mutaas ang cases (For us, in the CHO, we will not be very confident because the cases may rise any time),” Schlosser said.

Schlosser underscored the city’s achievement in its anti-Covid vaccination activities, however, it is not enough. “We still need to have the booster doses to avoid not just the infection but the severity of the disease,” Schlosser said.

The city is now at 96-97 percent in achieving population protection. If possible, Schlosser said that the city wants to cover the total population eligible for the vaccine.

Schlosser said that the city is also preparing for the rollout of the anti-Covid vaccination for children 5-11 years old. CIO