Pasay moves to contain S. African Covid variant

The Pasay City local government has assured the public it will work overtime to stop the spread of the South African variant (SAV) of the coronavirus following reports that three residents have contracted the new strain.

Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said the patients have already recovered from their illnesses, but they will still have to undergo further tests to fully contain the spread of the virus.

City health officials have recommended they retake the RT-PCR test.

Although they recovered, they are still in isolation.

As this developed, more than 300 people in Pasay City yesterday volunteered to have themselves inoculated against the virus.

Those who availed of the shots were unanimous in saying the vaccine will protect them against the disease.

As of 3 March 2021, the coronavirus disease has so far infected a total of 8,203 residents in Pasay City, 521 of who are active cases. Those who have recovered from illness total 7,466, while it has claimed the lives of 216 people.

Jonalyn Infante, 39, said she volunteered to be immunized at the vaccination center at Pasay City West High School “to be safe and get back to normal.”

“We need this so we don’t infect others. We would like to thank Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano for letting us be vaccinated against Covid-19,” Rolando Infante, 36, said.

“This is for everybody’s safety,” Jeremiah Caurez, 19, said.

Patients found positive for the South African variant remain isolated despite recovering from the virus.

Mayor Calixto-Rubiano likewise clarified that of the 77 barangays that have been placed under localized lockdown, only one barangay was under total lockdown and only 210 houses are under localized community quarantine.

As part of the local government’s intensified containment campaign, the city has tapped 26 new nurses for deployment to the isolation facilities at Mall of Asia, Folk Arts Theater and Pasay City Sports Complex, as well as the quarantine areas being operated by Oplan Kalinga.

Another 180 policemen were also tasked to strictly enforce the health protocols of the Inter-Agency Task Force.

The local government has also enhanced its contract tracing up to the third level of contacts of those who have contracted the virus, with 100 contact tracers added to ensure the success of their efforts.

Calixto-Rubiano said all those who were confirmed to have had contact with patients are required to undergo RT-PCR tests.

The mayor said she was grateful for the 100 medical workers who volunteered to be vaccinated during yesterday’s successful launch of the city’s immunization campaign.

She added they will continue the immunization campaign daily, even as they wait for more vaccines, which are due to arrive anytime soon.

To recall, the city has earlier sealed a deal through a tripartite agreement to purchase 275,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca, which will be distributed to residents for free.

She said they chose this vaccine brand, because it is more affordable and has a higher efficacy rate.