BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) continues to warn the Caraganons against the spike of COVID-19 new variants.
DOH-Caraga regional director Dr. Cesar Cassion emphasized that with the increasing trend of cases in Caraga region, hospitals are at risk of being congested with COVID-19 admissions, slowly consuming oxygen supply and other medical logistics. "We are continuously joining our efforts with other agencies and through the One Caraga Shield to provide immediate action to areas declared to be high risk or has a continuous rise of cases. Still, we remind the public that our actions, whether big or small, can be the determining factors in surviving these perilous times. Follow the health protocols and get your vaccines as soon as it is available,” he said.
Assistant regional director Dr. Sadaila Raki-in of DOH-Caraga also highlighted that despite existence of new variant of COVID-19 in the region, the DOH and all other stakeholders will continue their efforts to secure the health and protection of the Caraganons.
She commended all the frontliners for doing their functions amid risks brought about by the pandemic. She also urged the public to continue to practice the health protocols to prevent the transmission of the dreadful virus.
During the Regional Vaccination Operations Center (RVOC) virtual meeting on Tuesday, the DOH reported that there are additional 36 positive cases for COVID-19 Variants of Concern: 31 Delta Variants, three Alpha Variants, and two Beta Variants bringing a total of 149 variant cases for Caraga. These were the samples sent to University of the Philippines - Philippine Genome Center last August 2021.
These cases are distributed in the following areas: Delta Variant Cases: Agusan del Sur (24) — Bayugan City (4), Loreto (5), San Francisco (4), San Luis (3), Talacogon (3), and one each from Esperanza, Prosperidad, Rosario, Sta. Josefa, and Trento; Surigao del Norte (5) — Surigao City (4) and Claver (1), and Cantilan, Surigao del Sur (2). For Alpha Variant Cases: Agusan del Sur (2), one each from Prosperidad and Rosario, and one (1) in Tandag City. Lastly, for Beta Variant, one case each from Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur and Tandag City.
The department further elaborated that as to the case profile, the age range is 9-79 years old with 36 as the median age; 64% (23) are females while 36% (13) are males, and 25% (9) have known comorbidities. The majority, 50% (18 ) neither have a travel history nor, close contact of a positive case, 28% (10) are close contacts of confirmed RT-PCR COVID-19 cases, and 14% (5) are exposed in the workplace. Meanwhile, 5% (2) are postpartum mothers. As to vaccine status, 64% (23) of the cases are unvaccinated individuals.
Of the 36 positive cases for COVID -19 Variants in Caraga region, most of the cases or 92% (33) have recovered, while 8% (3) cases have died. The two Delta variant deaths were female senior citizens, of whom one was diabetic. While the Alpha variant death was a middle-aged bedridden female with spinal cord injury for 11 months. All were unvaccinated with neither travel history nor exposure to a confirmed case. One died at home and two were hospitalized due to severe symptoms. All identified close contacts have completed quarantine protocols and tagged as recovered.
The DOH CHD-Caraga through the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) is actively coordinating with the local health authorities to continuously monitor the situation in the region. Local government units with its vaccination operations centers (VOCs) have increased their health care utilization capacity by increasing beds in addressing the surge of cases, reorganizing manpower complement to cater more patients, securing medications and medical supplies, and is closely coordinating with DOH for the additional supply of oxygen. Remote management or home care management has been currently highlighted to guide families in homes on the proper management of early signs and symptoms of COVID.
“Let us not be complacent. Our national and local governments, together with the other stakeholders are working towards securing and protecting the people against the increase of number of cases of this deadly virus. Help us in our advocacy campaign to remind people to always take precautionary measures, support the vaccination and adhere to the imposed health protocols,” said Raki-in. (DOH-13/JPG, PIA-Caraga)
