Klarex: Students should still wear face masks in schools

WHILE saying that his administration will support the national government’s policies on Covid-19 response, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy said enforcement of health protocols should stay especially in schools.

“If we are to base our assessment of our health data (on the slowdown of cases), we should not be overconfident. We have health experts at our (City Health Office), our local (Inter-Agency Task Force) and our (Department of Education-city division) and we have yet to meet concerning (full face-to-face classes),” the mayor said in Visayan in his Friday radio program ‘Ang Inyong Alagad: Mayor Klarex Uy.’

Early this month, the Department of Education (DepEd) said it will allow the optional wearing of face masks inside classrooms in keeping with an executive order issued by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. that allowed the optional wearing of face masks in public both indoor and outdoor areas.

But Executive Order No. 7 also mandates enforcement of health care protocols, especially in public transport and hospitals.

Last August, the DepEd-Cagayan de Oro City division allowed the resumption of face-to-face classes in both private and public schools though students are required to still wear face masks and comply with health protocols.

City Hall also campaigned heavily for parents to have their children vaccinated for their protection from the Covid-19 virus.

Following a decline in cases to single digits after the city fiesta last August, Cagayan de Oro City is experiencing a spike in daily double-digit cases while its active cases went up to triple digits anew.

As of 10 pm on Nov. 8, the CHO said the city logged 16 new Covid-19 cases and 148 active cases. Of the 148 active cases, 91 are admitted to private and public hospitals, and 57 are confined in the city’s isolation facilities.

Still, Cagayan de Oro logged 14 new recoveries and one death.

“After meeting with them, I will wait for the recommendation of the CHO and (Department of Health regional office),” Uy said.

City Health Officer Dr. Rachel Dilla called on those who have yet to be vaccinated to secure their shots especially boosters for added protection from the virus. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)