CAGAYAN de Oro City closed the month of October by averaging triple-digit weekly Covid-19 cases, causing concern among the city’s health officials midway into November.
“October started with double-digit weekly cases ending on October 15 and from then on, the city averaged triple-digit weekly cases closing out at 109 on the Oct. 30-Nov. 5 period. This is a cause for concern and we hope the situation improves,” City Health Office (CHO) epidemiologist Dr. Teodulfo Joselito Retuya Jr said during yesterday morning’s Covid-19 response briefing.
CHO data showed that as of 10 pm on Nov. 14, Cagayan de Oro City logged four new cases and 154 active cases with six recoveries and zero deaths. Of the 154 active cases, about 78 were admitted to the city’s private and public hospitals while 76 were confined in the city’s isolation facilities.
“(On) Nov. 13, the city logged 13 additional new cases, so we’ll see what happens to the rest of the week,” Dr. Retuya said.
The city had a brief respite when weekly Covid-19 cases went down to double digits midway between the September to October period, only to pick up anew with more ‘super-spreader’ events such as gatherings and even face-to-face classes, Dr. Retuya said.
“The ongoing trend doesn’t look good,” he said, adding that about 33 Covid-19 cases logged for the Nov. 7 to 13 period involved outside travel.
Due to fewer travel restrictions including the optional wearing of face masks both indoors and outdoors, Dr. Retuya said the likelihood of infection went up considerably, especially for those neglectful of health protocols and remain unvaccinated.
“We are repeatedly asking those who remain unvaccinated to get their shots,” he said.
For the same Nov. 7 to 13 period, about 22 out of the 118 confirmed Covid-19 cases were unvaccinated while 96 secured their primary shot and 93 completed their two shots. About 63 completed their booster shots, Dr. Retuya said.
The CHO confirmed that free vaccination for the public will end on December 31 with the majority of vaccine shots administered in the city’s barangay health centers. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)
