Face mask wearing ‘discretionary but still effective’

WITH last month’s Presidential Proclamation No. 297 lifting the state of public health emergency, wearing of face masks in Cagayan de Oro City is still advisable given the month-long celebration of the annual city fiesta.

During Monday’s Covid-19 press briefing, City Health Officer Dr. Rachel Dilla said while wearing face masks is now discretionary, it is still advisable if one were to come into contact with persons he or she is unfamiliar with.

“If they feel safe, they can choose not to wear a face mask,” Dr. Dilla said as she removed her face mask near the end of the press briefing.

Dr. Dilla then wore her face mask back on to emphasize that face masks provide protection for people in crowded areas.

“We don’t know where they came from (so it’s best to protect oneself). And if you’re not feeling well, it’s best to stay at home so you can recover and not infect others,” she said, adding that the Covid-19 virus remains a serious threat, especially for the unvaccinated.

Presidential Proclamation 297 specified that all prior orders issued during the state of public health emergency are deemed withdrawn but emergency use authorization of vaccines remain in effect until the current vaccine supply is depleted.

In her report, City Health Office (CHO) immunization program coordinator Dr. Ina Grace Chiu said the city received 3,546 doses of bivalent Pfizer vaccine from the government.

“During the first two weeks of the rollout of the bivalent vaccine, the distribution was limited only to healthcare workers and seniors. But during the second half of July, the Department of Health revised the guidelines to allow those with comorbidities to receive the vaccine. There are now 1,270 healthcare workers, 1,821 seniors, and 388 persons with comorbidities that received the bivalent vaccine,” Chiu said.

Chiu said they are waiting for the second phase of the bivalent distribution from the DOH.

For now, until Aug. 10, Dr. Chiu said the public can secure their Sinovac bivalent vaccine from the City Health Office (CHO) and at the JR Borja General Hospital on Aug. 11.

Residents in Barangay Bayabas can receive the Sinovac bivalent vaccine during the Aug. 12 ‘Klarex Nga Serbisyo Sa Baryo’ program, she said. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)