QUEZON CITY -- With at least 14 confirmed Omicron cases in the country, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urges local government units (LGUs) to strengthen the implementation of minimum public health standards (MPHS) and to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters, to manage if not avert the possible community transmission.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año enjoins LGUs to remind their constituents that continued diligence in wearing face masks, hand washing, physical distancing, and ensuring proper ventilation remain critical as prescribed in Department of Health (DOH) Circular No. 2021-0581.
He said that, vaccination, including boosters, is essential for added protection against Omicron and new coronavirus variants. Omicron may be mild for the vaccinated, but as with any other COVID-19 variant, could still be severe for unvaccinated senior citizens and immune-compromised individuals.
“Hinihimok po ang mga pamahalaang lokal na tiyakin ang 100% vaccination rate ng lahat ng kanilang senior citizens o A2 priority group at ang lahat ng kanilang persons with comorbidities o A3 category ayon sa payo ng DOH,” said Año as he likewise advised LGUs to strengthen their prevent-detect-isolate-treat-reintegrate (PDITR) strategies.
“Maaari pong mag-house-to-house vaccination para sa A2 at A3 priority groups at makipagtulungan sa mga civil society organizations o pribadong sektor para sa ganitong community level interventions,” he added.
He also called on all LGUs to practice active case finding through the use of their contact tracers, immediately impose granular lockdowns, and enforce allowable capacities of business establishments under the current Alert Level.
Año enjoins local chief executives (LCEs) to heed the DOH’s call for LGUs to re-orient their community leaders and health workers such as tanods, Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs), Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) on the basics of COVID-19 response to enable them to answer queries and provide support to citizens more responsively.
LCEs are also encouraged to utilize available technologies such as StaySafe.ph digital contact tracing app, Tanod Kontra COVID-19 Response System, or any certified contact tracing application integrated with Stay Safe for both active and passive contact tracing.
Another measure advised to LGUs is the close monitoring of adherence to home quarantine and isolation protocols such as the conduct of daily checks in-person via mobile or telephone.
According to Año, the first half of the preparation against a possible Omicron community transmission includes ensuring that telemedicine services are available to manage mild cases and enough hospital and intensive care units (ICUs) facilities as well as supply of medicines and oxygen tanks for severe and critical cases. The second half of the preparation is making sure fewer people will require care in hospitals and ICU.
LGUs are also advised to widely disseminate contact details such as hotlines, chat groups, messenger accounts, DOH’s KIRA (Katuwang na Impormasyon para sa Responsableng Aksyon) Chatbot to the community.
Boosters for a safe new year
Meanwhile, DILG Spokesperson and Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya urges individual self-discipline in practicing MPHS among Filipinos in 2022.
He said that while COVID-19 vaccines are effective in protecting from experiencing severe and critical COVID-19, it does not completely stop the transmission of virus. This means that while a person may be vaccinated, he/she may still have the virus but could be asymptomatic.
“We unknowingly pass on the virus to people around us if we do not wear our masks, sanitize our hands, practice physical distancing, and stay or meet in a well-ventilated location. Disiplina muna para sa ligtas na Bagong Taon,” he said.
Citing the DOH advisory, Malaya said that despite being vaccinated, isolation for 10 days and getting tested to avoid infecting others are necessary if one experiences any symptoms.
“Sana po sa 2022 ay makapag-avail ang mas maraming Pilipino ng booster dose ng COVID-19 vaccine. Puwede pong maging boosted with the same vaccine o ibang vaccine brand base sa patnubay mula sa DOH at depende na rin sa availability ng brands sa vaccination centers,” he clarified.
DOH said that since December 22, 2021, one dose of booster for all fully vaccinated adults >18 years old may already be given as early as three months after the second dose of a two-dose series (AZ, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinovac) and two months after single-dose Janssen.
“Nakasalalay po sa ating pag-iingat ang pag-iwas sa mga variants ng COVID-19 kaya huwag po tayong magpakampante upang maipagpatuloy po natin ang ating mga trabaho o negosyo at maprotektahan ang ating sarili at ating mga mahal sa buhay,” Malaya said. (DILG)
