Health authorities reported 20 new coronavirus cases over the past seven days ending Saturday, July 9, 2022, compared to just 12 during the previous week.
The new spike in COVID-19 cases began on July 4 with five, followed by one on July 5, four on July 6, eight on July 7 and two on July 9, with 13 of the new cases all from the capital town of Virac.
The rest are from San Miguel with three cases and one each from Baras, Bato and Viga.
These brought the total active cases in the province to 22, with at least two of them admitted in health facilities. Majority have mild symptoms and the others are asymptomatic.
The data did not indicate how many of the recent cases are of local Variants of Concern.
A Biosurveillance Report on COVID-19 Variants from the Department of Health Center for Health Development showed that while there have been no new Alpha, Beta and Delta variant cases as of July 6, eight new Omicron cases were detected during the period monitored.
As of said date, the island has had eight Alpha cases, 14 Beta cases, 47 Delta cases and 40 Omicron cases.
With the spike in COVID-19 cases, the DOH Bicol CHD has urged parents to get their children vaccinated with booster doses at the nearest health center.
It informed the public that giving of booster doses for the young population ages 12-17 years old has started in some areas of the Bicol Region. Booster doses or “additional doses” provide complete protection against COVID-19 and its emerging variants.
The eligible young people for booster vaccination are the immunocompromised, non-immunocompromised, and the rest of the population of young people ages 12-17 years old.
The booster dose for the young population ages 12-17 years old is Pfizer-BioNTech. Immunocompromised ages 12-17 shall be given a booster dose twenty-eight (28) days after the administration of the second dose of the primary dose series. Meanwhile, non-immunocompromised and the rest of the population of young people ages 12-17 will be given a booster dose five (5) months after the administration of the second dose of the primary dose series.
The public is advised to coordinate with their local health centers regarding the schedule of vaccination. Likewise, parents/guardians are reminded to bring their child’s birth certificate and vaccination card.
In the same regard, all LGUs and Local Vaccination Operations Centers (LVOCs) are called to intensify the administration of due booster doses to the eligible adult population ages 12 years old and above.
The CHD urges the public to continuously practice the BIDA Solusyon + (Best-fitted mask all the time, Isolate/Stay home when feeling sick, Double-up protection with primary series and booster, Airflow exchange is good).