CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The local government here and the province of Misamis Oriental on Wednesday reminded the public anew to remain vigilant against the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) during the holiday revelries.

During a briefer, Dr. Teodoro Yu Jr., the city health medical officer, said amid the city's 14 active Covid-19 cases as of December 28, the public should not be complacent on the hazards of the virus.

"We may sound like broken records for repeating this, but we will continue to remind everyone to avoid gathering in super spreader events," Yu said.

He also said vaccination will continue, especially since the city has already inoculated 982,511 of its population.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Misamis Oriental on Tuesday said it was preparing in case Covid-19 cases increase following the holiday season.

Governor Yevgeny Vicente Emano said in an interview that he has talked with the eight chiefs of the provincial hospitals in case of such a holiday spike.

"We witnessed it even among ourselves that we have been 'calm' and complacent (in the recent months)," he said.

Emano said vigilance in avoiding the spread of the virus must always be a top priority.

Dr. Jerie Calingasan, chief of the provincial health office, has spoken with local government executives so that every barangay will come prepared for the anticipated increase in Covid-19 cases after the holiday season.

Emano also hoped that by the first quarter of 2022, the province will achieve population protection for the second dosage of the Covid-19 vaccine.

No infants

Meanwhile, the Department of Health in Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) has reminded parents not to bring their infants inside the malls as they are still vulnerable to Covid-19.

Dr. Tristan Jediah Labitad, head of the DOH-10 non-communicable cluster, said despite the restrictions being eased and population protection being achieved, the threat of Covid-19 still exists.

"I would like to remind the parents not to bring their infants to malls since they do not know how to wear face masks or hand wash or do the 'BIDA Solusyon'," he said.

BIDA is a Filipino acronym that aims to remind the public to wear face masks, sanitize the hands, and avoid holding random things; also to observe physical distancing, and know the correct information.

Labitad also reminded the public that even vaccinated individuals should remain watchful and cautious.

"The vaccine can safeguard us from being severely infected by the virus, but being fully vaccinated does not guarantee us that we will not be infected. Let us be watchful, guard ourselves and the community," he said.

As of December 27, the region only had three new local cases which are all from Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, there are three confirmed deaths, one from Bukidnon and two from this city, bringing the case fatality rate of northern Mindanao to 4.22 percent or 3,483 deaths.

The DOH-10 recorded eight recoveries in the region - three from Bukidnon, two from Lanao del Norte, one from Misamis Oriental, and two from this city, for a recovery rate of 95.67 percent for the 78,751 individuals who have beaten the virus. (PNA)