CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--"Sa A2 o sa atong mga senior citizen, dinhi kita mahamubo ang atong nangakuha, naa pa gihapon kita nagpabilin sa 43% ang atong first dose ug 30.6% ang atong second dose."
(In the A2 priority group or our senior citizens, we still got low turnout as we remain at 43% for the first dose and 30.6% for the second dose)
Department of Health (DOH)-10 Local Health Support Division Chief Dr. David Mendoza said during the Normin COVID-19 Response Task Force daily briefing, August 3, that there is a need to boost such number since the senior citizens are mostly at risk of severe infection or death from COVID-19 considering their age and comorbidities.
The department still faces the challenge on inoculating the members of the A2 priority group, thus, they offer walk-ins and even 'Bakuna Buddy' just to encourage the senior citizens to avail the jabs. Some local government units are even offering free transportation, meals or snacks to aid DOH in such cause.
As for the healthcare frontliners or A1 priority group, the region has marked 100% completion for the first dose and 82% for the second dose.
The completion rate for A3 priority group or those with comorbidities is at 61.9% for the first dose and 44.8% for the second dose.
For the A4 priority group, Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog City and Bukidnon are currently accommodating frontline personnel in essential sectors with specific age range targets.
"Aduna pa'y mga ubay-ubay nga mga munisipyo nga pwede na, gitugutan na nga magsugod sa A4 kay niabot na sila sa more or less 50% ang ilang A2 ug ang A3," Mendoza added.
(There are several towns, which are already allowed to start with the A4 priority group as they have attained more or less 50% of their A2 and A3 priority groups)
Update on COVID-19 variants
The department also speeds up the vaccination of eligible population noting the existence of Alpha, Beta and Delta variants in the region.
"Sa atong genomic results sa atong biosurveillance sa Rehiyon 10, ang atong rehiyon was able to capture 59 variants sa tibuok region. Aduna kita’y 12 nga Alpha variant o kining UK variant (B.1.1.7), aduna kita’y 33 ka Beta variant (B.1.135) mao kana ang atong gitawag nga South African, ug Delta variant (B.1.617.2) aduna’y 14 ka kaso," Mendoza said.
(In our biosurveillance genomic results in Region 10, the region was able to capture 59 variants in the entire region. We have 12 cases for Alpha variant or the UK variant (B.1.1.7), 33 cases for Beta variant (B.1.135) or the South African, and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) with 14 cases)
The chief added that there are also Theta or the Philippine variant identified but such is called 'variant of interest' because there are still no studies to prove on the kind of variant it belongs.
As of now, Mendoza said the variants of concern in the region are already tagged as recovered, except for the two Delta variant cases where their contacts have yielded positive of COVID-19. They are currently handled in the special facilities for monitoring and continuing surveillance.
As of August 2, there are 39,357 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region of which 5,753 are active, 114 have recovered, and 7 have already died. (RTP/PIA-10)
