DOH reiterates call for healthy & COVID – free Christmas celebration

December 19, 2020 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY, Dec. 18 (PIA) – The Department of Health Center for Health and Development Cordillera (DOH – CAR) reminds the public anew to ensure a safe and healthy Christmas celebration and to welcome the new year as COVID – free individuals.
DOH – CAR Regional Director Ruby Constantino, in a media forum here, reported that Cordillera remains at rank number 9 among the 17 regions in the country in terms of the most number of recorded COVID – 19 cases. The region as a whole remains at medium risks though there are areas that are at high risk such as Baguio City and Benguet particularly the municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan Tuba and Tublay.
Mankayan is currently in critical risk with the clustering of cases in the mining community of Lepanto. As of December 16, DOH – CAR data shows that Cordillera has a total recorded cases of 6,994 where 694(9.92 percent) are active cases, 6,220(88.93%) recovered and 80 died, which translates to 1.14% case fatality rate.
With the yuletide celebrations, cases are expected to increase due to movement of people, parties, reunions and other activities that may result to crowding and breach of health and safety protocols, Constantino said.
She advised the public to celebrate Christmas but in a safe way. As much as possible, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with our own family or household members. For DOH, Constantino shared that the “Tuloy ang Pasko” advocacy focuses on four messages, namely “Iwas Paputok” (firecracker – free celebration), “Healthy Handaan” (health and food safety), “Ligtas na Regalo” (safe gifts, especially for children) and the “BIDA angPagdiriwang” which reiterates the “BIDA (Bawal ang walang face mask, I-sanitize ang Kamay/Iwas Hawak sa mga bagay, at Dumistansiya ng isang metro, at Alamin angTamang Impormasyon) Solusyon Kontra COVID – 19.
DOH – CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit Head Geeny Ann Austria also reported that other diseases under their surveillance are on the decreasing trend but she reminds the public to wary of lifestyle – related and food and water borne illnesses that tend to increase during the holidays.
With the cold December weather, Austria also advises the public to keep themselves warm and boost their immune system by having enough sleep, managing their stress and exercising.
JDP/CCD-PIA CAR