With Bacolod City placed under Alert Level 2 starting Feb. 16, the Emergency Operations Center is reviewing the COVID exit plan that is ready for implementation.
EOC executive director Em Ang said the continued downtrend of fresh COVID cases was the main reason for the de-escalation of the alert category of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
A loosened restriction, similar to December of 2021, is back but the EOC reiterates that people should not be complacent even if majority of Bacolodnons were already fully vaccinated.
The virus is still around and may strike again if people will relax the observance of minimum health protocols, the EOC said as it advised the continued wearing of face mask, avoiding mass gatherings, and observing physical distancing.
Bacolod logged 13 new COVID cases Feb. 15, and the hospitalization rate also decreased below 50 percent. The isolation rate also went down, with only 65 active cases in three isolation facilities.
There were four deaths recorded since Feb. 1, and Ang said some of those who died only sought medical attention during the worst stage.
The EOC said anyone experiencing COVID symptoms should immediately seek medical attention.
Ang said a lot of the mortality cases since last month involved persons with comorbidities and the lack of oxygen for a longer period worsened the situation and led to their death.
Meanwhile, the EOC is focusing on the vaccination of five to 11 years old kids to ensure the smooth vaccination procedure once the rollout will be expanded to the different malls and Resbakuna centers in the barangays.
Bacolod started the expanded pediatric vaccination at the Riverside Medical Center and Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital Feb. 14, with the young vaccinees treated to a children’s party. — MML
