COVID-19 KILLS 80 IN 7 MONTHS; Iloilo City records 418 active cases, too

Travel restrictions and lockdowns are no longer options despite the increasing COVID-19 infections, according to the Iloilo City government. “We have to live with this (disease). Protection na gid lang,” says Mayor Jerry Treñas. Photo shows masked people in downtown Iloilo City. PN PHOTO
Travel restrictions and lockdowns are no longer options despite the increasing COVID-19 infections, according to the Iloilo City government. “We have to live with this (disease). Protection na gid lang,” says Mayor Jerry Treñas. Photo shows masked people in downtown Iloilo City. PN PHOTO

ILOILO City – Deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in this southern city are picking up. Eighty residents successively succumbed to the viral disease in seven months, from Jan. 1 to July 9, data from the City Health Office (CHO) showed.

Fifty-one of those who died were not vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.

He appealed to those not yet vaccinated to get their free shots in various rural health units here.

CHO data showed that of the 80 fatalities, 38 were asymptomatic (11 vaccinated, 27 not vaccinated) while 31 exhibited influenza-like illness (14 vaccinated, 17 not vaccinated).

On the other hand, 11 suffered from severe COVID (four vaccinated, seven not vaccinated).

Treñas stressed the importance of booster shots. He noted that the cases keep on increasing. From July 1 to 10 alone, the city logged 475 new cases, for a daily average of 48 cases, according to the mayor.

“Cases are going up.  We have to protect ourselves. Magpabakuna,” said Treñas.

From July 4 to 10, Iloilo City recorded 368 new COVID-19 cases (or a daily average of 53 cases). This is 66 percent higher than the cases reported a week earlier (June 27 to July 3) – 222 new cases or a daily average of 32 cases.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 showed Iloilo City with 418 active COVID-19 cases as of yesterday, July 11 – the second highest in Western Visayas. Iloilo province has the most number of active COVID-19 cases right now at 568.

The city’s COVID-19 death toll also rose to 720 (cumulative figure since the pandemic started in 2020).

This is why the city government has to strengthen its COVID-19 booster campaign for additional protection, said Treñas.

He also stressed that travel restrictions and lockdowns are not options anymore despite the increasing COVID-19 infections.

“We have to live with this (disease). Protection na gid lang,” said Treñas.

He also noted the availability of the anti-COVID-19 pill Molnupiravir.

As of July 10, 153,909 individuals in Iloilo City have availed themselves of first booster shots against COVID-19. This comprises 39.49 percent of the total target population.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. raised the possibility of ordering the “optional” wearing of facemask if the booster vaccination drive becomes successful.

In a virtual speech delivered before newly elected mayors and governors gathered in Malacañang’s Rizal Hall Friday were Treñas was also present, Marcos said he may further relax the COVID-19 protocols in case he sees an indication that it is already “safe” to take such step.

Pero hindi po natin gagawin ‘yan hanggang maliwanag na maliwanag na safe na talaga,” Marcos stressed.

As of July 3, a total of 70,780,972 individuals nationwide have already been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but some 40 million of them have yet to receive the first booster shot, according to the Department of Health.

A total of 15,147,905 have so far received booster shots.

Marcos, who is currently in isolation after testing positive in an antigen COVID-19 test Friday, said the booster campaign rollout is key to returning to normalcy despite the prevailing pandemic.

He expressed hope that local government units would exhaust all efforts to ensure the high turnout for booster shots.

The booster vaccine drive is likewise vital to the safe resumption of in-person classes and more economic activities, Marcos said./PN

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