Negros Occ. nearing herd immunity target

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is nearing its herd immunity target against COVID-19.

The number of fully vaccinated Negrenses totaled 1,084,254 as of Jan 30, 2022, according to a report from the Provincial Health Office.

The PHO report also said that 176,489 more Negrenses are set to receive their second dose, bringing to 1,260,743 the number of vaccinated persons.

A total of 1,875,370 Negrenses are needed to be vaccinated to achieve the 70 percent herd immunity requirement.

With its target to achieve the herd immunity by the end of February, the provincial government has to inoculate 564,627 persons more to achieve the target by end-February.

PHO records also showed that La Carlota City has the highest percentage of fully vaccinated individuals at 89 percent, followed by Pulupandan (79.67 percent), Cadiz City (79.27), Murcia (77.23), EB Magalona (75.30), Victorias City (74.46), San Enrique (74.21) and Sagay City (72.07).

As of Feb.1, the Provincial Incident Management Team reported that COVID-19 active cases further rose to 3,445.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed support for mandatory vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), particularly among the government employees.

Lacson said the provincial government has been vaccinating its employees and workers of national government agencies with offices based in the province since May.