March 29, 2024

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.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong made the assurance as he expressed confidence residents are vaccinated with first and second boosters and are following health protocols on handwashing, physical distancing, and masking up properly against the impending spread of Covid subvariants.   
In an earlier meeting with Department of Health OIC Ma. Rosario Vergeire, Magalong asked of the threat or impact of said Covid-19 subvariant to the country.
Vergeire said the Covid-19 virus variant has been monitored to be in the country since July.
Magalong said a surge was earlier pegged for the third week of January but analytics from a third party data expert forecasted 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 unbiased and un-manipulated forecast. We have also always been transparent as to Covid-19 information and that infections/re-infections, 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 five-year-olds; six to 11-year-olds; 12 to 17-year-olds; and 18 and above and first and second booster shots, as posted in the Baguio City Health Services Office official Facebook account. – Julie G. Fianza