BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Health - Cordillera (DOH-CAR) reminds the public anew to follow the minimum public health standards such as wearing of face mask, observing physical distancing, and washing of hands as COVID-19 cases increase in the region.
 
As of April 25, 2023, the DOH-CAR recorded a total of 129,803 COVID-19 cases in the region. Currently, there are 69 active cases with 58 asymptomatic to mild cases and 11 moderates to critical cases.

"Andiyan pa rin po ang COVID-19, huwag po tayong magpakampante na wala na po. Muli, we are urging each and every one to follow the minimum public health standards," DOH-CAR Senior Health Program Officer Jethro Simeon III appealed.

Simeon said they recorded   increase of cases following the conduct of crowd drawing events like the Panagbenga and Strawberry Festivals and observance of the Holy Week.

The Regional Inter-Agency Task Force issued earlier a guidance to local government units on the conduct of crowd drawing activities to avoid COVID-19, he added.

Simeon urged eligible  individuals  who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 to get inoculated for their protection.

As of this writing, the provinces of Ifugao and Benguet are still under Alert Level 2 for not achieving the target population vaccinated against COVID-19. 

 Ifugao only vaccinated 66.88% of the target population while Benguet was able to vaccinate only 61.01% of the A2 population or senior citizens, which are  lower than the 70% total population coverage target to raise immunity. 

Aside from COVID-19, cases of summer diseases such as Acute Bloody Diarrhea, Measles-Rubella, Cholera, and Influenza-like Illnesses are also increasing among others. With this, the health experts reminded the public to follow their advisories and to consult the doctor when they are not feeling well. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)