No plans for COVID lockdown in city, yet

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Monday said there was no need yet for intense measures to be implemented much less proposed amid the recent rise in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the past week.

In his press conference, Treñas recognized that the city’s COVID-19 cases were once again on the rise.

But he reiterated information from June 13 that these were traced to medicine students who tested for the disease as part of their requirements for their return to face-to-face classes.

The mayor eased worries by clarifying that most of these cases were only mild and did not need any hospital-based quarantine and treatment.

“We really need to get booster [shots] so that there would be [community] protection because while cases are rising, our healthcare utilization rate remains low,” he pointed out.

He called for the public’s cooperation to continue observing the minimum public health standards and to get their COVID vaccines and booster shots when they can.

“Our COVID cases are rising, that is why we are asking for the public’s cooperation. Those who haven’t had their booster [vaccinations] should already get them, and those who can get their second booster [shots] should then get them as well,” he said.

City Epidemiological Surveillance Unit (CESU) data as of June 18 indicated that the city has logged 99 new cases since June 12, with daily cases at double-digits.

Treñas said he has instructed the City Health Office (CHO) to plan to start vaccinating children aged 6 months and above.

This, after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine for children of the said age group.

The Philippine FDA has not made any approvals as to the said age group, and their most recent authorization is of the Chinese biotechnology firm Sinovac’s CoronaVac to be used for vaccinating children down to the age of 6 years old.

COVID vaccinations in the Philippines are allowed for other vaccine variants for those aged 5 years old and above.

DENGUE

Treñas also said that dengue cases may be on the rise in the city but he assured that they have been on top of the situation since the “dengue season” started.

But CESU data as of June 11 indicated that the city logged 85 cases this year, 26.1 percent lower than the 115 cases logged in the same period in 2021.

“There are barangays which have seen a rise (sic) like [in] Jaro and Mandurriao. I am calling on everyone to clean their surroundings, and make sure that our environs are clean and without stagnant water,” the mayor said.

Treñas said the CHO has deployed knapsack sprayers and has been distributing medicines to barangay officials. He added that residents can approach their barangay officials to request spraying in their areas.

“Our dengue cases are rising, and we want to make sure everyone is safe,” he stated.

The mayor is set to call a meeting with city and barangay officials within today, June 21, or within the week, to tackle dengue prevention.