BARMM’S Covid-19 case dip continues

COTABATO CITY: Covid-19 cases in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) continue to drop, with only 18 active cases as of March 23, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).

MoH Director General Ameril Usman on Thursday, at the same time, advised those unvaccinated to get vaccinated since vaccines really work against Covid-19, and they are safe, halal (permissible) and free.

Usman said fake news claiming vaccines can cause one’s death or turn an individual into a zombie are baseless since the majority of the world’s population are already vaccinated.

Of the total cases, 7 are from Maguindanao, 4 from Cotabato City, 7 from Lanao del Sur including Marawi City, and none from the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the region recorded total cases of 19,726, with 19,023 or 96.4 percent total recovery and had 686 or 3.5 percent total death,” Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas, officer in charge and MoH minister, said.

Abas added that vaccination activities in the region will continue even during the month of Ramadan this April as the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta stated in its fatwa (sermon) that vaccines will not nullify or void the observance of fasting.

Meanwhile, Usman again urged those who are not yet vaccinated to get their Covid-19 shots, and reminded the public not to be complacent with the region being classified under Alert Level 2.

Under this level, establishments are allowed to operate at a maximum of 50 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years of age, even if unvaccinated, and 70 percent outdoor venue capacity.

“We are still far away from 80 percent vaccination rate [to achieve] herd immunity in the region. The cooperation of the general public and all sectors in the government including our media friends will play a crucial role in increasing the almost 27 percent or more than 900,000 total number of the region’s population currently vaccinated compared to 3.5 million target population,” Usman said.

“The MoH always stands firmly that vaccines really work against Covid-19, they are safe, halal and free,” he added.