City Hall dangles Omicron threat to unvaccinated residents

Unvaccinated Ilonggos are encouraged to have themselves inoculated against COVID-19 amid the threats of the Omicron variant.

Despite posting the highest vaccination rate in the entire Western Visayas, local officials in Iloilo City reminded the public to avoid complacency following the emergence of the new variant.

Jeck Conlu, spokesperson of the Iloilo City COVID-19 Team and head of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), urged the remaining population of city residents who have yet to receive the COVID-19 jabs.

According to Conlu, the remaining unvaccinated Ilonggos should take the initiative to be inoculated due to the threats of the new variant.

“Kailangan magpabakuna na tayo because of the new variant that is why Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has been reminding everyone na kahit konti na ang population na natira, ini-encourage natin na magpabakuna bilang proteksyon,” he said in a media interview.

Based on the target of the Department of Health (DOH), Iloilo City has already achieved herd immunity after vaccinating more than 70 percent of its population.

“If we base it sa target sang DOH because they based it sa 335,172 population, we have already achieved more than the herd immunity,” Conlu said.

As of Nov. 28, DOH reported that Iloilo City has already fully vaccinated 376,897 city residents, equivalent to 112.45% of its target population.

However, the city included in its target population non-residents who are working in the metro thereby, increasing its target population to 525,000. Based on this target population, the city fell short on the herd immunity at 67.61%, or 354,969 individuals who should be fully vaccinated.

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose for a 2-jab vaccine.

A total of 408,609, or 77.83%, have received at least one dose of the vaccines while 3,542 have received their booster doses.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against the new Omicron variant, which was first detected on Nov. 21 in Botswana, Hong Kong, and South Africa. It has been classified as a variant of concern.

While there is still limited information about the Omicron variant, experts said that its mutations indicate that it may also be highly transmissible and can evade antibodies. (ERS)