NAGA CITY (PIA)— Members of the Health Emergency Response Task Force (HERTF) convened Monday (April 24) to discuss necessary response measures following  Naga's placement by the Interagency Task Force (IATF), along with other cities and provinces in the Bicol Region under Alert Level 1.

The said alert level classification is in effect from April 15 to 30, current year.

City Mayor Nelson S. Legacion directed Acting City Health Officer Dr. Ronaldo T. Amoranto to lead the task force and review necessary guidelines to abate the possible rise of COVID-19 cases in light of IATF’s recent announcement.

He also directed the CHO to conduct mandatory testing for all department employees and ensure that protocols are in place should the testing yield positive results.

“I requested the CHO under Dr. Amoranto to oversee the testing of all department employees and to specifically check those with COVID-like symptoms so that we can immediately come up with an intervention. We already have protocols in place but it is still essential to continue to be vigilant that COVID-19 remains a concern,” Mayor Legacion said.

Dr. Amoranto stated that the alert level set by the IATF is indeed a reminder to everyone that the COVID-9 virus still exists.

“This is not to alarm the community, but to remind them not to be complacent; follow the health protocols, like wearing of facemasks in health facilities and crowded places, frequent hand washing, and using sanitizers and alcohol, among others,” the health officer added.  

Currently, there are 9 active cases in the city; two (2) from Brgy. Del Rosario and one each in Barangays Balatas, Cararayan, Liboton, San Felipe, Sta. Cruz, Tinago and Trianggulo.

The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) recorded a total of 65 confirmed COVID cases, from January to April 23, out of which, 55 have already recovered but one (1) unfortunately died.

In January, CESU documented a total of 23 cases; 8 in February; 15 in March, and 19 from April 1 to 24. Out of these cases, 16 are asymptomatic, 47 experienced mild symptoms, one (1) was moderately ill and one (1) was in critical condition and eventually died due to the existence of other medical conditions.

Out of the 27 barangays in Naga, Barangays Concepcion Grande, and Trianggulo were leading in terms of COVID cases, with 8 each from the last quarter, followed closely by Barangays Del Rosario (7); Concepcion Pequeña (5); San Felipe (5); Cararayan (4); Abella (3); Bagumbayan Sur (3); Liboton (3); Sabang (3); while Barangays Balatas, Daayangdang, Pacol, Peñafrancia, Sta. Cruz and Tinago registered 2 cases each.

Naga City Mayor Nelson S. Legacion met with members of the Health Emergency Response Task Force (HERTF)  this afternoon, April 24, 2023 at the City Mayor's office  to discuss necessary measures following  Naga's placement by the Interagency Task Force (IATF), along with other cities and provinces in the Bicol Region under Alert Level 1 (JRMadrid-PIA5-Camarines Sur) 

Barangays Bagumbayan Norte, Carolina, San Francisco, and Tabuco have one case each while Barangays Calauag, Dinaga, Igualdad, Lerma, Mabolo, Panicuason, and San Isidro, remained COVID-free from January 2023 to date.

Dr. Amoranto said that the documented 19 cases this month may rise, following the positive testing of 2 more employees and the conduct of mandatory testing of all department employees as reiterated by Mayor Legacion.

He also called on those who have not yet received their vaccine to reconsider their decisions and get vaccinated.

“We urge those who have not received any dose of the vaccine to get vaccinated. Per our monitoring, vaccinated individuals who got the COVID virus recovered faster and exhibited only minor symptoms, some of which are not even hospitalized,” Amoranto added.

The city’s vaccination activity is continuously being done at the SM Naga Atrium from 10 AM to 4 PM from Mondays to Fridays.  Those who are exhibiting symptoms can get their antigen test at the City Health Office from 1  to 4 PM, Mondays to Fridays. (PIA5-Camarines Sur)