CLARK FREEPORT ZONE (PIA) -- Average daily attack rate of COVID-19 in Central Luzon declined significantly to 2.31 cases per 100,000 population for the last two weeks.

In his message during the Ceremonial Vaccination of the A4 Priority Group in Central Luzon, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also disclosed the region’s low healthcare utilization rate at 33 percent, and two-week growth rate of -41 percent.

“All of these have led to the adjustment of the classification of the entire region, including Pampanga, into low-risk classification, and for that alone I commend the entire leadership of Pampanga,” Duque said.

The health secretary also lauded the vaccination activities and efforts of the Provincial Government of Pampanga to provide adequate protection to its people.

“We are here to support you to achieve the milestone of population protection where we hope to be able to vaccinate at least 50% of our population leading all the way to the ultimate goal of herd immunity, providing protection to 70% of our people,” Duque said.

Meanwhile, the cabinet official reiterated the implementation of Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment and Reintegration Strategies for COVID-19 to the local chief executives, noting that vaccination is simply one of the multi-pronged strategies of the national government as well as the local governments.

He stressed that it is still important to adhere to minimum public health standards such as wearing of face masks and face shields, physical distancing, and proper handwashing. (CLJD/TJBM-PIA 3)