Vaccination underscored as Davao City hits 105 new COVID-19 cases

August 5, 2022

The Davao City COVID-19 Task Force reiterated the need for Dabawenyos to get their premier two-dose and booster vaccination shots as the city’s COVID-19 active cases on Friday, August 5, surged to an all-time high of 105 since the city was placed under alert level 1 status in March 2022.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, the spokesperson of the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, bared this during the Bida Bakunado program of 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), which aired on August 5.

She said, “Naa ta’y 105 cases today, that’s 14 percent beyond sa five percent acceptable positivity rate. Naa ma’y adlaw mubaba sya but naga go beyond na gyud sya (We have 105 cases today and that’s 14 percent beyond the five percent acceptable positivity rate. There may be days that it is low but lately it’s been going beyond what we are expecting).”

The city health official said that if Dabawenyos want to maintain the relaxed health protocols and keep the economy moving forward, everybody has to cooperate in bringing the COVID-19 cases low.

She also said that people should not wait for the city to tighten COVID-19 protocols and implement stricter restrictions again as it will not be good.

“We can’t afford that no. Atoang directives diri sa Davao City, on behalf of the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, is to maintain not just good health sa community but also open the economy. Manginahanglan gyud ta og tabang sa tanang tao sa Davao City to cooperate with us sa atoang COVID-19 management, as well as sa atoang vaccination drive (We can’t afford that anymore. Our directives in Davao City, on behalf of the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force, are to maintain not just the good health of the community but also open the economy. We need everybody’s help in Davao City to cooperate with us in our COVID-19 management as well in our vaccination drive,” Schlosser said.

She added that with a big event such as the Kadayawan sa Davao Festival this month, all the more Dabawenyos need to be vigilant, wear face masks and observe proper hand hygiene, and also in getting themselves vaccinated.

At least 3,808 individuals availed of the “Bakuna Para sa Katawhan Karong Kadayawan” at the People’s Park held on July 26 to 30, which catered to five to 11 years old, 12 to 17, and 18-above vaccinees who got their missed, primary, and booster jabs.

The first dose has reached 1,35,551 while the second dose hit 1,327,505 as of July 29. However, the booster turnout remained low with 292,363 for first jabs and only 46,336 for second shots.

“We’re really hoping, knocking on your doors literally and figuratively. Avail na inyong bakuna. The data is showing us, naga-work gyud ang bakuna. This week, we have two deaths – unvaccinated individuals. Ang isa ana senior citizen ug ang isa naa sa  40 to 49 age group, which is too young to die due to the disease (Avail of the vaccine now. The data is showing us that the vaccine works. This week, we have two deaths – unvaccinated individuals. One was a senior citizen and another was in the  40 to 49 age group, who is too young to die due to the disease),” Schlosser added.

She underscored that although the vaccine does not promise protection from infection, it ensures protection against getting a moderate, severe, or critical type of COVID-19 that may result in death.

Vaccination sites in the city’s 18 district health centers will resume operation from Monday to Friday next week.CIO