Sen. Bong Go (Contributed photo) MANILA - As the number of daily Covid-19 infections continues to rise, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go advised all eligible Filipinos to get vaccinated and take their booster shots as well for added protection against coronavirus variants. The Department of Health reported 37,154 new cases on Sunday, another record-high. "Sa mga hindi pa nababakunahan pero kuwalipikado naman, magpabakuna na kayo sa pinakamalapit na vaccination center sa inyong lugar (To those who are not yet vaccinated but are qualified, go to the nearest vaccinationcenter in your area)," Go said in a news release on Monday. "Para naman sa mga bakunado na at kuwalipikado nang kumuha ng booster, magpaturok na rin kayo. May mga pag-aaral ang mga eksperto na ang booster ay makakapagbigay ng karagdagang proteksyon laban sa mas nakakahawang (To those qualified for booster shots, there are studies that they can effectively protect against the more transmissible) Omicron variant," the chair of the Committee on Health continued. Despite the sharp spike in infections, the country's hospitalization rate is currently lower compared to previous surges. Recent studies by the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University also revealed that an additional dose of an mRNA-based vaccine can provide immunity against the Omicron variant. The government has administered some 117.3 million doses of Covid-19 jabs as of January 13 while some 54.5 million Filipinos are already fully vaccinated. Go pointed out that strategies against Covid-19 will work only if everyone cooperates, like properly wearing masks that decreases the risk of catching and spreading the virus. "Ang public health ay responsibilidad nating lahat at hindi lamang ng gobyerno kaya gawin natin ang ating parte at maging bahagi ng solusyon. Palawakin natin ang ating kaalaman sa mga sintomas ng sakit at kung may nararamdaman kayo, mas mabuting iwasan na ang paglabas ng bahay para wala nang mahawaan pang iba (Public health is everyone's responsibility, not just the government's, so let's be part of the solution. Expand your knowledge on the symptoms of the disease and when we have those, stay at home so we do not infect the others)," Go said. (PR) }