DOH: Central Luzon now ‘low epidemic risk’ for COVID-19

Interior Sec. Eduardo Año (partially hidden), Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Responses Sec. Vivencio Dizon (center) and Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda discuss how local governments will regulate the new normal post-COVID-19 pandemic. | PHOTO: TONETTE OREJAS

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Central Luzon has attained a “low epidemic risk” for COVID-19, Department of Health (DOH) officials announced during a roadshow Wednesday in this Pampanga capital.

Active cases in the region dwindled to 4,524 as of Monday, Dr. Eloisa Vidar, chief of the DOH local health support division, said in a presentation before some 200 key government personnel involved in the prevention, control, and treatment of COVID-19.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Presidential Adviser for COVID-19 Response Vivencio Dizon urged them to continue preventing a rise in cases.

Since March 1, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac provinces, and Olongapo and Angeles cities have been under Alert Level 1, while Nueva Ecija and Zambales are under Alert Level 2.

Vidar said the decline in cases happened as fully vaccinated residents in the region totaled 7.6 million out of the 10.1-million target population.

She said 1.5 million people in the region had their booster shots, while 7.15 percent of the 3-million target children aged 5 to 11 years had been vaccinated against the viral disease.

Only one percent or 159 of 6,441 beds in temporary treatment and monitoring facilities were used.

During the open forum, Año said vaccination must be ramped up.

“By the time President Duterte ends his term, 90 million Filipinos should be vaccinated. He said border controls are being enforced and only vaccinated Filipinos and foreigners are allowed in the country.

Dizon assured the audience that there was “plenty” of vaccine supply.

He confirmed the wastage of expired vaccines but said it was “way below normal.”

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