Children more exposed to COVID-19 as level status eases

Parents are now advised to be more cautious of bringing their children to malls, parks or in any outdoor places.

The level status and restrictions in Zamboanga City are slowly easing down, children are also allowed to go to public places and some already started the limited face-to-face classes. 

However, the Department of Health (DOH) continuously reminds the public and especially the parents that while bringing their children outside, one must still follow strictly the minimum health standards, i.e. the wearing of face mask, regular handwashing or sanitizing and practice of physical distancing. 

As of March 28, 2022, Zamboanga Peninsula recorded a total of 123 active COVID-19 cases, “indeed the numbers are far less compared to the previous months, but we do not look the numbers instead those who are in need of hospitalization,” Dr. Jemuel Cristobal, Medical Officer of DOH 9 emphasized.

The healthcare utilization rate in ZamPen is decreasing based from the data provided by DOH 9 and 97% of the cases now are experiencing only mild to moderate symptoms. The healthcare utilization rate is also decreasing and very low for the region.

What is alarming based from the data reported are the cases recorded coming from the pediatric sector or the children. Out of the 123 active cases recorded, 14 of those are below ten years old and 2 cases are below one year old.

“We highly encourage the parents to get their children vaccinated, as this is an added protection for the children,” Dr. Cristobal said.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga City stays at level 1 alert status, the other provinces in ZamPen are still at level 2 status. DOH 9 clarifies that in order to be approved in level 1 alert status there are criteria to be checked in every cities and provinces, i.e. they need to have minimum to low risk classification, total bed utilization with less 50% and percentage of vaccination. (RVC/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)