SWAB TEST. The port border control team in Zamboanga City facilitates the screening of arriving passengers on Wednesday night (Feb. 2, 2022). Inbound travelers are required to present negative swab tests or antigen results regardless of their vaccination status to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 amid the threat posed by the Omicron variant. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga CIO) ZAMBOANGA CITY - The city health office (CHO) stands firm in the importance of requiring inbound travelers to present negative swab tests or antigen results regardless of their vaccination status. "This is to prevent more coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases because the majority of the inbound travelers had been tested positive for the virus, increasing further the city's active Covid-19 cases," said Dr. Cathy Garcia, assistant CHO chief, in a statement Friday. The local Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has imposed the negative reverse transcriptio
FACE MASKS. Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director (right), leads the distribution of face masks to street dwellers early Thursday (Jan. 20, 2022) while inspecting the area of responsibility of ZCPO around the city. He also reminded the public to adhere to the minimum health protocols to prevent the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019. (Photo courtesy of ZCPO Facebook page) ZAMBOANGA CITY - Cops here distributed Thursday face masks to street dwellers who were caught without the protective gear against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Col. Alexander Lorenzo, Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, led the distribution of the face masks around the city as he reminded the public anew of the threat by the Covid-19 Omicron variant. "I urge you to fully support and cooperate with the police in the implementation of health safety protocols," Lorenzo told the street dwellers. Around 5:10 a.m. Thursday, Lorenzo inspected the duty pers
Zamboanga City Hall(PNA file photo) ZAMBOANGA CITY - The city health office (CHO) has recorded a total of 413 breakthrough infections of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) this month alone in this city. Dr. Cathy Garcia, CHO assistant head, said Wednesday that all breakthrough cases 223 females and 190 males were fully vaccinated. Garcia said the majority of those who have breakthrough infections were aged 21 to 30 years old, totaling 151; while trailing were those aged 31 to 40, with 101 cases. To date, the Zamboanga Task Force Covid-19 data tracker showed that the city has 848 active cases, with 23,500 cumulative confirmed cases, 21,541 recoveries, and 1,111 deaths. Among those who had a breakthrough infection was former mayor and 1st District Rep. Celso Lobregat. Lobregat said Wednesday that he initially had a rapid antigen test Sunday and the result was negative. "To be sure, I had an RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test on Monday. The result
City Hall of Zamboanga.(PNA file photo) ZAMBOANGA CITY - The bed occupancy rate of local hospitals and isolation facilities here remains at a safe level despite the continuous increase of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, the city health office (CHO) reported Tuesday. Dr. Cathy Garcia, the CHO assistant chief, said the current hospital bed occupancy rate is at 19.2 percent, which is at a safe level. "The isolation occupancy rate is also at safe level but it has increased the previous days. It is now at 52.1 percent occupancy rate," Garcia said. Garcia said active cases of Covid-19 climbed to 848 as 124 new cases were recorded Monday. She said 95 percent of the active cases were acquired through community transmission. The active cases of Covid-19 climbed to 848 on Monday from 84 on January 3, based on the Zamboanga Task Force Covid-19 data tracker. Garcia said the city has recorded 21,541 recoveries or a 91.66-percent recovery rate as there are 23,500 total confirmed
MEGA ISOLATION FACILITY. Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar (right) of Zamboanga City leads Wednesday (Jan. 12, 2022) the unveiling of the P134.56 million mega isolation facility in Barangay Talisayan as part of the preparations of the local government on the anticipated increase in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. Each room in the facility is equipped with a comfort room and an aircon unit. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga CIO) ZAMBOANGA CITY - The city government has unveiled Wednesday a PHP134.56-million mega isolation facility amid the threat posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Omicron variant. The mega isolation facility, with a 320-bed capacity, is located in Barangay Talisayan, west of this city. "The city government steps up preparations for Covid-19 response with the looming increase in cases," said Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who led the unveiling ceremony. The Zamboanga Task Force Covid-19 data tracker said active cases steadily climb