Baguio ramps vaccination, booster shots as Omicron variant surges in China

Baguio residents need not fear or panic on hearing about the spread through travelers of a new Covid-19 sub-variant dubbed as XBB which is causing a surge in China.

The assurance is from Mayor Benjamin Magalong in an interview after the regular Monday city hall flag raising ceremonies. He expressed confidence that Baguio residents are vaccinated, with first and second boosters, following health protocols; handwashing, physical distancing and masking up properly, against the impending spread of Covid subvariants.   

The mayor intimated that in an earlier meeting with the Department of Health (DOH) Officer in Charge (OIC) Ma. Rosario Vergeire, he asked of the threat or impact of said Covid-19 subvariant to the country.

DOH OIC Vergeire confided that the Covid virus variant has been monitored to be in the country since July, Mayor Magalong said.

According to the mayor, a surge was earlier pegged for the third week of January but analytics from a third party data experts forecaste it for the second week instead. The increase is not expected to be as steep as the Delta or Omicron experience, but just an upward trend and a tapering off.    

Data from experts provide us with an unbiased and unmanipulated forecast, the mayor said. 

We have also always been transparent as to Covid-19 information and that infections/reinfections, deaths, recoveries, vaccination, booster shots have always been reported properly, he added. 

Ramped up vaccination and booster shots, with daily schedules in the 16 district health centers and announced big venues areas are always available, he added. Schedules for vaccine shots are available for 5 years olds; 6 to 11 y/o; 12-17 y/o; 18 and above and first and second booster shots, as seen in the Baguio City Health Services Office Facebook account. – JGFianza