COVID-19 infection cases in Region 2 reached 57,019 as of July 21, 2021, about 3.72 percent of the 1,531,009 cases recorded throughout the country. This was confirmed by the Department of Health-Cagayan Valley Center for Health Development Regional Director Rio L. Magpantay during the 119th Regular Business Meeting of the Regional Development Council with its Advisory Committee on July 22, 2021 via video conference.

“It is worthy to note, however, that cases post a decreasing trend from the month of May up to July 2021 as compared to April 5, 2021 data, where the most number of cases was recorded especially in the cities of Tuguegarao, Santiago, and Cauayan”, Dir. Magpantay said.

Director Magpantay also informed the Council that the utilization of Critical Health Care Facilities has improved to 47.04 percent, making the region fall under Low Risk category. The lowering rate includes the utilization of COVID-19 ward beds, isolation beds, ICU beds, and mechanical ventilators. This also indicates a decreasing number of COVID-19 infection cases in the region, Dir. Magpantay concluded.

The government’s vaccination program roll-out posted a 92.09 percent consumption rate out of the 280,004 allocated doses for Region 2. This is expected to further increase as the local governments continue to step up their vaccination efforts. Target population beneficiaries from the priority groups A1, Expanded A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5 totaled to 1,240,924. The DOH-CVCHD hopes to inoculate at least 70 percent of the region’s eligible population before the year ends, with continuous allocation of vaccines from the national government. As of this date, rolled out vaccines in the region include Coronavac (Sinovac), AstraZeneca, Cominarty (Pfizer), and Sputnik V (Gamaleya). # Jun Irigayen, NEDA2-DRD