Bacolod City – Three COVID-19 related deaths were recorded by the Provincial Incident Management Team from July 27 to 29, as cases in Negros Occidental rose to 83, as of July 29.
Seven new COVID-19 cases were also reported, with one recovery.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson earlier expects COVID-19 cases in the province to 100 in the next few days.
From March 27, 2020 up to July 29 this year there were 1,978 deaths recorded in Negros Occidental, with 39,671 of 41,733 infected victims having already recovered.
On the other hand, the Department of Health reported the detection of the first case of monkeypox, that infected a 31-year-old Filipino national who arrived from abroad last July 19.
The case had prior travel to countries with documented monkeypox cases, DOH said.
The World Health Organization earlier said the rapidly spreading monkeypox outbreak is a “public health emergency of international concern” – designed to signal that a coordinated international response is needed and could unlock funding and global efforts to collaborate on sharing vaccines and treatments.
Meanwhile, Provincial Inter Agency Task Force action officer Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said that they will be campaigning more for vaccination, following approval of the Department of Health for the rollout of a second COVID-19 booster shot for persons aged 50 and above, and adults with comorbidities.
We welcome this, because those who decided to get vaccinated are the ones requesting booster shots, Diaz said.
We will not focus our vaccination program on those who do not want to get vaccinated, he stressed.
Perhaps, they have no need for it, or they have personal beliefs, Diaz said.
But we will keep on campaigning, and to ensure that vaccines will arrive in areas where it is demanded, Diaz said.
In a statement, the DOH said COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna would be used for the second booster dose. It should be given at least four months after the first booster.
The DOH also said eligible individuals will only need to present their vaccination card and a valid ID to receive the second booster dose.
A medical certificate will no longer be required for people with comorbidities as doctors at the vaccination site are authorized to assess and decide on such cases.
Diaz revealed that they are receiving many offers to donate COVID-19 vaccines. But he said they will have to utilize “stocks at hand.”
“We cannot accept more than what we need” Diaz said, adding that it will be unfair to other areas who may need it.
If we have unutilized supplies, we will be pressed to improve and increase our capacity. We have to buy new ultra-freezers and other equipment that would entail government expenditures, he further said. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)