Olongapo free of COVID-19 on Christmas Day

Olongapo City is finally free of COVID-19 after its remaining virus-infected patient has recovered from the viral disease. The good news was received by its residents on Christmas Day. (Photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot)

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines–The remaining COVID-19 patient here has already recovered from the disease, making the city free of the viral disease in time for Christmas Day, local data showed on Saturday, Dec. 25.

Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. has been citing the cooperation of residents and the sacrifices of healthcare workers for the improving COVID-19 situation in the city.

In the last three days, the city has not been recording any additional infections and virus-related deaths.

The city is also inching closer to achieving herd immunity after inoculating at least 128,814 residents, or 72 percent of the target population.

About 182,000 eligible residents need to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to achieve herd immunity.

Since the pandemic struck in 2020, the city has recorded a total of 5,458 COVID-19 cases with at least 5,141 recovering, while 317 died.

Five days ago, the Department of Health included the city in the list of communities with positive two-week infection growth rates.

But Paulino said this could not be possible and asked the DOH to place its health information about the city in the proper context.  /ra