93% of COVID deaths in city were unvaccinated

Two hundred fifteen (215) of the 231 persons who succumbed to COVID-19 in Iloilo City since January 2021 were unvaccinated, according to data from the Iloilo City Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (CESU).

In a virtual press conference on August 2, 2021, Dr. Roland Jay Fortuna of the City Health Office (CHO) reported that the city logged 231 COVID-19 deaths from January 1 to July 31, 2021, or a 2.64% case fatality rate.

Fortuna said 93% of the COVID-19 deaths were unvaccinated, while 13 received their first dose of the vaccine while 3 others were fully vaccinated.

It is also worth noting that three fatalities had co-morbidities or existing medical ailments.

“Makit-an gid naton sa data na kadam-an gid sang aton nga COVID-19 mortalities wala kapabakuna or 215 out of the 231. Ang tatlo naton ka casualties may mga co-morbidities. Ang isa diabetic kag ang duha may cardiac problems,” he added.

Out of the 231 deaths, 96 were classified as severe, 63 exhibited mild symptoms while 72 were classified as asymptomatic.

On the other hand, 106 mortalities were directly linked to COVID, 76 were indirect, while 44 are still for verification.

According to Fortuna, the data shows that unvaccinated elderlies have higher risks of contracting and even dying from COVID-19.

“Kalabanan gid mga elderlies ang aton nga casualty. So nakit-an naton nga ang mga unvaccinated persons, dako gid ang ila nga risk sa COVID-19,” he said.

The data on the mortality rate of unvaccinated individuals in Iloilo City was also the basis of Mayor Jerry Treñas in imposing the “No Vaxx, No Entry” policy at the Iloilo City Hall.

“Gusto ko maintindihan sang tanan nga wala kita nagtugot sang unvaccinated sa City Hall kay nakit-an naton nga ang mga unvaccinated dako gid ang ila nga risgo sa COVID-19 ilabi na nga may Delta variant pa kita,” Fortuna added.

Starting Monday, the Iloilo City government has barred the entry of unvaccinated persons to the Iloilo City Hall. Only those who have been fully vaccinated were allowed to enter the building upon presentation of their vaccination cards.

According to Treñas, almost 95% of the Iloilo City Hall employees have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The “No Vaxx, No Entry” policy at the City Hall will last until the end of the week, August 7, 2021.

As of July 30, 2021, a total of 154,638 Ilonggos received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine while close to 100,000 or 93,515 individuals have been fully vaccinated. (ERS)