Contrary to IATF policy
Calbayog City will still require a negative RT-PCR result for those coming in to the city as its coronavirus disease(COVID-19) continue to surge.
This policy of the city’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) is in contrary to the policy imposed by the National Inter-Agency Task Force abolishing negative swab results as a requirement for entry.
“Because our COVID-19 cases have not yet decreased, the Calbayog IATF decided that we will still subject returning residents negative RT-PCR tests,” the city’s IATF statement said.
And those who will present a negative RT-PCR result will qualify for a 14-day home quarantine but failure to present such document would mean a 14-day quarantine at the city’s isolation facility, it added.
The RT-PCR test will be required for returning residents until August on top of a certificate of acceptance.
The Calbayog AITF said that they will implement the resolution of IATF once cases of Covid-19 in the city decreases.
Based on the record of the City Health Office, as of July 6, Calbayog has a total of 1,589 cases of which 137 are considered as active cases and with 31 recorded deaths.
Twenty of the city’s 157 barangays are considered as ‘hot spots’ or those with more than two COVID-19 cases.
Meanwhile, on the on-going COVID-19 vaccination drive, the city reported that a total of 4,952 individuals have been inoculated as of July 4.
Of these figures 3,527 have received their 1st dose, while 1,425 are now fully-vaccinated.
As to the brand of vaccines, 3,634 doses of Sinovac have been administered 1,318 doses were of AstraZeneca.
The Calbayog IATF added there are still residents who belongs to Category A2 or senior citizens mostly living outside the city proper and Category A3 or those with comorbidities have not yet registered for vaccination.
The city government urges those who have not yet enlisted for vaccination to register online to get their schedule for inoculation.
(ROEL T.AMAZONA)
