Pavia ‘most affected’ Iloilo town by COVID pandemic

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Iloilo province has logged 29,624 confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, affecting 1.43 percent of its total population in 2021 (2.06 million), according to data from the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) on Sunday.

Out of the province’s 42 towns and 1 city, Pavia had the highest rate of affected residents with 1,794 confirmed COVID-19 cases, or 3.02 percent of its 2021 population of 59,428.

Guimbal has an affectation rate of 2.97 percent, followed by Santa Barbara (2.84), Oton (2.72), and Leganes (2.21).

Oton, the most populated town in the province, still has the most number of cases (2,593), followed by Santa Barbara (1,831), Pavia, Passi City (1,728), and Miagao (1,198).

Batad has both the lowest number of cases (99) and the lowest rate of affected population (0.43 percent) out of 22,764.

IPHO chief Dr. Socorro Quiñon made the clarification in a post through the health office’s official Facebook page on Sunday.

Quiñon also took time to remind the public to be careful and to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Although Oton has the most number of cases, having a cumulative total of 2593 cases, yet it is number 4 because 2.72 percent of its population is affected. Pavia is having a hard blow being the number one, because 3.02 [percent] of its population is already affected, then Guimbal follows, then Sta. Barbara. So, please, be more careful now. We don’t need more evidences to prove that Covid kills. Please let us protect ourselves by wearing mask, frequent hand washing, physical distancing and please be vaccinated!” the PHO chief said.

Daily Guardian also reached out to Quiñon for more details on their data, but has not responded as of this writing.

VILLAGE-BASED VACCINATION

The IPHO will also increase its barangay-based vaccination efforts, after successful test runs assisting the Santa Barbara local government unit (LGU) in the previous week.

This is already on top of the mass vaccination activities done by municipal and city LGUs in their respective town or city centers.

In addition to increased coverage in Santa Barbara, there will also be barangay-based vaccinations in Pototan, Pavia, and Anilao. This week’s inoculations will target up to 5,700 individuals.

Today (Sept. 20) in Santa Barbara, vaccinations will be conducted at Barangays GMTD, Dalid, Barasan Oeste, Ban-ag, and Pungsod, in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and the Santa Barbara LGU.

On Tuesday (Sept. 21), the IPHO and the Santa Barbara LGU will hold vaccinations in Brgys. Tuburan, Magancina, Conaynay, Buayahon, and Bantay.

Wednesday (Sept. 22) is the schedule for Brgys. Cabugao Norte, Agutayan, Lupa, Tugas, Lacadon, and Guno.

On Thursday (Sept. 23), residents of Brgys. Mambuyo, Omambog, Bitaog-Taytay, Cafe, and Binangkilan will be inoculated.

The IPHO will also vaccinate 300 pregnant women and drivers of Public Utility Jeepneys, tricycles, and trisikads on Friday (Sept. 24), with a venue to be announced later.

Vaccinations in Pototan will be at Brgys. Jambalud (Sept. 20), Bongco (Sept. 22), and Simaagan (Sept. 24), with a target of 300 on each day.

In Pavia, there will be jab activities in Brgys. Pandac (Sept. 21) and Jibao-an (Sept. 23), with 600 target vaccinations each day.

The barangay-based vaccinations in Anilao will also be held on Sept. 21 and 23, but the venues for these have not been announced.