ILOCOS SUR, July 22 (PIA) – The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) in Ilocos classified 54 cities and municipalities in the region as high risk areas for COVID-19 based on the epidemic risk level.
Advisory No. 16 from the Department of Health Ilocos Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD1) on Monday said these areas were approved by the Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center to initiate the roll out of COVID-19 vaccination for priority group A4 or workers in essential sector.
However, persons under A1, A2, and A3 priority groups in these areas would still be prioritized for inoculation, the advisory added.
Dr. Rheuel Bobis, DOH-CHD1 COVID-19 focal person, said the RESU has considered two criteria for the classification of high risk areas.
“Yung two week growth rate, ibig sabihin ‘yung percent ng pagtaas ng mga kaso ng COVID-19, at ‘yung critical care utilization rate or ‘yung dami nang na-u-utilized na hospital bed, etc.,” Dr. Bobis said.
He added, “So, ito po ‘yung mga tinitignan at kapag parehas pong mataas, nagiging basis ‘yun para sabihin na ang isang bayan o ang isang city ay nasa high risk area.”
High risk areas in Pangasinan include Bolinao, Labrador, Laoac, Mabini, San Manuel, San Nicolas and the cities of Alaminos, Dagupan, San Carlos, and Urdaneta.
In La Union, these areas are Agoo, Aringay, Bacnotan, Bagulin, Balaoan, Bangar, Bauang, Burgos, Caba, Luna, San Juan, Santol, Santo Tomas, Tubao, and San Fernando City.
In Ilocos Norte, these are Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Burgos, Currimao, Piddig, Pinili, Vintar, and the cities of Batac and Laoag.
Lastly in Ilocos Sur, high risk areas include Bantay, Cabugao, Caoayan, Cervantes, Galimuyod, Lidlidda, Magsingal, Narvacan, Salcedo, San Emilio, San Ildefonso, Santa Catalina, Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Tagudin, and the cities of Candon and Vigan.
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Ilocos Sur has placed 11 municipalities under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in order to contain the virus.
Towns under MECQ are San Juan (until July 26); Bantay (until July 27); Santiago, San Emilio, San Esteban and Tagudin (until August 1); Banayoyo, Santa and Santa Catalina (until August 2); Narvacan (until August 3); and Alilem (until August 6).
On the other hand, areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) include Candon City and Santa Cruz (until July 27); San Vicente and Santa Maria (until July 28); Magsingal (until July 30); Cabugao (until July 31); Lidlidda (until August 2); and Burgos, Santo Domingo and Vigan City (until August 3). (JCR/AMB/PIA Ilocos Sur)
