A Davao City councilor allayed fears on the presence of a more contagious variant in the COVID-19 virus which was reported to have afflicted three residents in Davao Region.
Councilor Joselle Villafuerte, chair of the 19th City Council Committee on Health said the COVID-19 variant could be contagious but not lethal.
She stressed that as long as the people would not remove their face masks and indulge in high-risk activities, being infected with the COVID-19 infection is remote.
Villafuerte said that while others still need to be vaccinated, a vaccinee needs to also observe health protocols like wearing of face masks and face shields, hand washing with soap, water and alcohol and social distancing.
“We continue to adhere to the basic health protocols while many of us wait to be vaccinated,” she said.
Local authorities are still conducting contact tracing and thorough investigation on these cases.
Villafuerte also revealed that she favors the ground-consultation to push the issues like vaccination, education and information campaign.
“It is best to talk to the people directly, but with the observance of the basic health protocols. They can ask questions which can be answered immediately. They need correct information,” Villafuerte said
She said it is the thrust of the local government to lower the number of COVID-19 cases initially by contact tracing, giving the people the correct information and eventually vaccination.
Villafuerte observed only a few people have the inkling not to be vaccinated. However, she said that after the short-talk on vaccination, people change their minds and have themselves listed for the vaccination.
She also said that elementary schools are ideal as vaccination area where social distancing is certain because of the management of one entry one exit system.
Villafuerte also said that the schools also have plenty of rooms where the vaccinees can rest and at the same time observe themselves after the actual vaccination.
She pointed out that the vaccination program needs to be done in an orderly fashion from registration, counselling, vaccination and monitoring of vaccinees that is why simulation exercise is important.
(Joey Sem G. Dalumpines, PIA XI | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)