BAGUIO CITY- – Local government units and communities must continue to strictly implement the PDITR (Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat and Reintegrate) strategy against the Coronavirus disease alongside the rollout of the national vaccination and deployment program,
Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Albert Mogol, Cordillera Regional Task Force on COVID – 19 and explained that with the rollout of the government’s vaccination and deployment program, we are coming nearer to victory against this health pandemic. But to ensure victory, local government units must sustain and continue to intensify the PDITR strategy against COVID – 19 which is still vital in the fight against COVID -19.
“With the intensified rollout of the COVID – 19 vaccination led by the Department of Health, soon we will overcome and prevail against this pandemic. We appeal to all LGUs to remain vigilant and continue the strict implementation of safety protocols and policy guidelines for the public adherence to the minimum health standards needed to protect oneself and their family from this novel disease”, Mogol stressed.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG -CAR) OIC Regional Director Araceli San Jose, the Regional Inter – Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Disease (RIATF) chairperson, supported Mogol’s statement as she outlined the need to work harder as a team to be successful in the fight against COVID -19.
With the vaccines already reaching the region and being rolled out to medical frontliners, the region, with all of its stakeholders, must not let their guards down.
“Remember that we work as a team. Our fight is a whole of nation, whole of government, and whole of society approach. Sana paigtingin pa natin ang ating pagkakaisa. Let us further strengthen our convergence and cooperation in fighting this pandemic,” San Jose said.
The joint meeting of the RTF and the RIATF was convened, as the National Task Force COVID – 19 and DOH noted the recent increase and clustering of COVID – 19 cases in several areas in the region.
The Department of Health – CAR reported that as the region remains on moderate risk epidemic level. The province of Apayao is currently at high risk in terms of the two – week growth rate while Baguio City, Kalinga and Mountain Province are at high risk in terms of the Average Daily Attack Rate.
DOH – CAR data also shows that vaccination rollout in the region is going smoothly, with 4,531 out of the 8,904 target priority health workers from both public and private hospitals and infirmaries in the region already vaccinated with the Coronavac Sinovac vaccine since its rollout last March 5. More are expected to be vaccinated with the allocation and delivery of AstraZeneca vaccine.
Dr. Anachris Kilakil of the DOH – CAR Regional Vaccination Operation Center explained the importance of the continuing strict adherence to the minimum health standards and safety protocols against COVID – 19, as side by side with the vaccines, it will determine our victory against the pandemic.
As what the DOH is advocating, “Nandito na RESBAKUNA kasanggang BIDA”, vaccines as “kasangga”, vaccines as partners or complement of the BIDA campaign, which means “Bawal ang walang face mask at face shield; I- sanitize ang kamay at iwasan ang kulob na lugar; Dumistansya ng isang metro at limitahana ng pisikal na interaksyon sa iba, at Alamin ang tama at totoong impormasyon,” Kilakil said. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
