DAGUPAN CITY - Ilocos Region is averaging just two coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases daily but wearing of mask and physical distancing protocols remain in place. Dr. Veronica de Guzman, Department of Health Center for Health Development Ilocos Region (DOH-CHD-1) team leader, said there is no mandate yet to stop wearing mask and disregard physical distancing as officials believe both measures will ensure the safety of the public. Based on the data of DOH-CHD-1, there were 16 new cases added from May 29 to June 4, or 54.3 percent lower than the cases reported from May 22 to 28. As of June 5, the non-intensive care unit (ICU) bed utilization rate in the region was at 11 percent while ICU was at 20 percent. There were only two confirmed severe and critical admissions. However, 152 deaths due to Covid-19 were verified within the most recent one-week period. In an interview on Friday, de Guzman said the vaccination rate in the region is high at 84 percent, exceeding the 80-percent target population or 3.6 million fully vaccinated individuals. There are also 807,065 in the region with booster shots. "We are now focused on the 5 to 11-year-old population," she said. The pediatric group's immunization rate is at 31 percent. De Guzman urged the public to continue wearing masks, observe physical distancing, and get Covid-19 vaccines or booster shots. "We are still waiting to finally be able to go back to normal," she said. (PNA) }