As the coronavirus disease cases among children are increasing, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte urged adults and parents to consistently observe the minimum health standards and get vaccinated as the first line of defense against getting Sars-CoV-2 – the virus that causes coronavirus disease. 

This as Mayor Sara confirmed there is a notable increase of Coronavirus cases in children ages 0-9 years old and 10-19 years old and not only among the working group. 

“Nagsaka ang cases.. most likely mao ning variants na gina-ingon nila mas infectious na nakaigo sa mga batan-on. All the more we have a reason na kinahanglan ang mga ginikanan and mga adult consistent sa pag observe sa minimum public health standards and magpabakuna sila if there are already given schedule (There is a rise of cases, most likely these are the variants which they say more infectious and can infect minors. All the more, we have a reason for the parents and the adults to consistently observe minimum public health standards and get vaccinated if they have been given a schedule),” the mayor said on Monday during her special program on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).

As of August 21, the city has a total of 3,172 Covid-19 cases in the age group 10-19 years old and a total of 1,823 cases in the age group 0-9 years old. There are 17 deaths recorded under the age group 10-19 years old while 15 deaths are recorded in the age group 0-9 years old.

Between August 14 to August 21, the city recorded an additional 146 cases in the 10-19 age group and 107 cases in the 0-9 age group.

Given the increasing cases in children, Mayor Sara said the city has already allocated pediatric isolation facility and is open to convert adult isolation facilities in case there would be a huge increase of children with COVID-19.

Based on the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restriction guidelines, the mayor said children below 18, as well as senior citizens, are discouraged to go out for their safety against Covid-19. CIO