The rollout of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility has begun in Malabon City.
Around 280 doses of the vaccines were allocated to the city to vaccinate its medical frontline workers amid the reported increase of COVID-19 cases and the threat of new variants while almost all cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) have already received doses of AstraZeneca vaccine.
National Task Force Against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon was present at the vaccination program where he praised the LGU for convincing all its health workers to get the shot.
Malabon is currently intensifying measures to prevent further transmission of COVID-19 amid increasing number of cases and hospital occupancy. According to the local government, the occupancy rate of Ospital ng Malabon is currently at 60 percent which also brings the city under critical risk together with Pasay City.
Local authorities are suspecting the spread of a COVID-19 variant due to the unusual rate of transmission. At least three cases of UK variant have been reported in the city. However, the local government still have no plans of imposing a city-wide lockdown.
The national government will provide 20 additional contact tracers while police personnel will continue to intensify patrol operations. Barangay personnel will also monitor alleys in Barangay Longos which has the most cases.
– Report from Louisa Erispe
