Caloocan reports 105 COVID-free barangays; 90% of city workers vaccinated

A tricycle driver receives his first Moderna shot during a vaccination drive held at Camarin D Elementary School in Caloocan City. PHOTO COURTESY OF CALOOCAN PIO

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 105 barangays in Caloocan City were reported as COVID-free while 90 percent of the city government’s workers have received their first vaccine doses.

According to the Caloocan City Health Department, 55.85 percent of 188 barangays in Caloocan registered zero active cases as of July 11.

Only 83 barangays in Caloocan have active cases while 105 were registered as COVID-19 free.

The city’s active cases dropped from 2,000 in March to 342 cases, Mayor Oscar Malapitan said in a statement.

Around 38,078 residents in the city so far have recovered from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Caloocan City Human Resource and Management Department said that 4,848 out of 5,433 workers of the city government have been given their first doses as of July 12 while 51.44 percent or 2,795 city employees are fully vaccinated.

Malapitan urged residents, especially medical workers, not to waste the chance to be protected against the highly transmissible coronavirus.

“Hindi sapilitan subalit atin silang hinihikayat, higit na ang mga nasa ospital at vaccination centers. Bilang mga lingkod-bayan, mahalaga na mayroon silang pananggalang sa sakit sa araw-araw na pagseserbisyo sa mga mamamayan ng Caloocan,” Malapitan said.

(We are not forcing, instead, we are encouraging them to be vaccinated, especially those in hospitals and vaccination centers. As public-service, it is important that they have protection against sickness in their everyday service to the citizens of Caloocan.)

The mayor also reminded everyone to remain protected and safe by following health protocols amid the threat of the Delta variant.

“Huwag nating hintayin na magkaroon ng Delta variant sa ating lungsod. Huwag tayong magpakampante, patuloy tayong mag-ingat at hanggat maaari ay magpabakuna na para may panlaban tayo sa sakit,” the mayor said.

(Let us not wait to have the Delta variant in our city. Let us not be negligent and continue to remain safe. As long as it is possible, get vaccinated so that we can fight against the disease.)

Malapitan also thanked the city’s health workers for continually working together against the deadly disease.

“Alam kong pagod na pagod na ang lahat subalit hindi kayo sumusuko at patuloy na ginagampanan ang tungkulin. Maraming maraming salamat sa pagmamalasakit sa mga mamamayan ng Caloocan,” she said.

(I know everyone is tired but you did not give up and continued to fulfill your responsibilities. Thank you for your compassion to the citizens of Caloocan.)

The Department of Health has recorded 39,340 total COVID-19 cases in Caloocan as of July 13. Faith Yuen Wei Ragasa, Inquirer trainee

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