The city government of Kidapawan opened three isolation facilities to address the spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in recent weeks.
Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the additional facilities are the city gymnasium, the Kidapawan Pilot Elementary School, and a private dormitory, all in Barangay Poblacion.
“A total of 150 mild and moderate COVID-19 patients could be accommodated in the three facilities,” Evangelista said.
“The existing COVID-19 treatment facility is at 83% occupancy rate.”
“At present, the existing COVID-19 treatment facility here is at 83 percent occupancy rate, which is quite critical and must be acted upon urgently,” the mayor added.
He was referring to the local government unit-run Kidapawan City Hospital.
Based on the latest data from the Department of Health 12 (Soccsksargen), the city has 133 active COVID-19 cases, 70% of which are symptomatic and 305, asymptomatic.
Evangelista said the majority of the recorded COVID-19 transmission is from within the family circle; small gatherings; and those from being complacent to minimum health protocols.
“I am ardently asking city residents to please refrain from gathering.”
“I am ardently asking city residents to please refrain from gathering around if it is not essential to avoid transmission,” he said.
Evangelista also appealed to senior citizens or those under the A2 priority list to get vaccinated at their scheduled time.
Based on the city health office’s vaccination data, out of the 4,258 vaccines administered to senior citizens, 2,126 were fully given the two doses.
For the city’s A1 category or the medical front-line workers, 3,097 were given the first dose while 1,807 of them completed the required two doses.
He said vaccination in the A3 category or those people with comorbidities between 18 years and 59 years has also begun.