BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - The Department of Health – Cordillera (DOH – CAR) confirms  a decreasing trend  of COVID – 19 in cases  but advises  the public to remain vigilant as there are still Omicron sub – variants that pose  threat of infections.

 DOH – CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) Head Karen Lonogan, in a Kapihan media forum here on January 10, reported that active COVID – 19 cases in the region are down to 91 with 80 percent of them asymptomatic.

In the previous weeks, new confirmed cases range from two to 28 per day.  With continued vigilance, hopefully it can be maintained or better for the region to attain zero new case, Lonogan said.

She reiterated the importance of completing the primary series of vaccines and for those fully vaccinated to get boosted and even get their second booster dose, if they are eligible.

The DOH also reminds the other safety measures against COVID – 19 especially the use of mask in enclosed and crowded places, as well as for the communities to calibrate contingency plan especially with the conduct of large crowd events and festivities.

For other notifiable diseases, Lonogan reminds the public to be wary of influenza- like illnesses (ILI), a common acute viral disease of the respiratory tract which symptoms include fever, headache, myalgia, prostation, coryza, sore throat and cough.

The DOH – CAR data show a total of 4,863 ILI cases recorded in 2022 or 53% percent higher compared to the 3,170 cases recorded in 2021.   

 There is also noted increase in Hand – Foot and Mouth Disease   with DOH – CAR logging 1,319 cases in 2022, an alarming trend compared to the seven cases recorded in 2021.

The DOH – CAR also cautions the public on Vaccine Preventable Diseases.  In 2022, the DOH – CAR recorded 123 cases of Acute and Bacterial Meningitis/Encephalitis Syndrome, 75 measles cases, 20 acute Flaccid Paralysis, four Pertussis and three Diphteria cases.

Restrictions on travels/movement during the height of the COVID–19 pandemic affected the accomplishments on the DOH’s routine vaccinations. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)