THE COVID-19 Task Force lauded Davao City’s four percent positivity rate as of Nov. 8, due to the downtrend of COVID-19 cases and the warm response of parents to the ongoing pediatric vaccination rollout.
COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser, during the COVID-19 Alert program of the 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) aired on Wednesday, Nov. 10, said, “Maka-happy (It really makes us happy). That means, naa ta sa (we are in the) acceptable level of positivity rate.”
She attributed the low positivity rate to the ongoing vaccination rollout in the city and the compliance of Dabawenyos to the public minimum health standards (PMHS).
“Epektibo gyud ang atoang pagpabakuna, pag follow nato sa public minimum health standards, paggamit sa face masks, avoid ta og mga crowded places, social distancing, hand washing or hand hygiene. Kato gihapon ang natan-awan both sa IATF, as well as the Department of Health gina follow nato as part of the PDITR+V (Vaccination has been very effective as well as our adherence to the public minimum health standards, use of face masks, avoiding crowded places, social distancing, hand washing or hand hygiene. That’s what the IATF and DOH have observed as we follow the PDITR+V guidelines),” Dr. Schlosser said.
PDTR+V stands for Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR)+ Vaccination.
She said that they continue to encourage those who have not yet gotten their jabs to get vaccinated as soon as possible and have a reason to celebrate the holiday season. The city health official also said Davaoeños can be confident during the holidays once the target herd immunity is achieved.
Dr. Schlosser added, “Ma-achieve nato ang point na makaingon ta na protected na gyud ang atong mga sarili, pati atong mga loved ones og pamilya (Once we reach that point, we can tell ourselves that we have protected ourselves, our loved ones, and our families).”
Meanwhile, she thanked parents for their all-out support of the pediatric vaccination rollout.
“Ubay-ubay gyud dako among pasalamat sa mga parents nga nakasabot kung unsa aka importante ang bakuna (We are so thankful to the parents who have understood the importance of vaccination). Because a lot of our kids, the fact na bata sila (that they are kids), dili sila ingon ana ka responsable (they are not really responsible) when it comes to wearing of masks. Ang uban dili sila kasabot sa importansya (Others don’t understand the importance) of social distancing. Dili pud maayo ilahang practices of hand hygiene (They also don’t have good hand hygiene practices). It would really be best to have another layer of protection ang inyohang mga anak na (for your children) 12-17 years old. Dapat gyud na magpabakuna na ta sa atong mga anak (We must get our children vaccinated),” Dr. Schlosser said.
The operational pediatric vaccination sites, all open for walk-ins, are GMall Toril, Mabini Elementary School, Calinan Elementary School, Matina Aplaya Elementary School, and F. Dizon Elementary School. All public and private hospitals also cater to pediatric vaccination but registration is needed.
Pediatric vaccinees are required to bring a birth certificate or school ID for proof of age, and Safe Davao QR. Minors with comorbidities, however, will have to provide a medical certificate. A parent or guardian with a valid ID must accompany the child. Guardians must also bring an ID of the parent.
