THE red alert is up!

The Department of Health-Center for Health Development I (DOH-CHD1) is gearing up for possible contagion Covid-Delta variant in the region.

It has begun close coordination with all public and private hospitals in the province for the implementation of plans for the expected detection of the presence of Delta variant.

Initially, the hospitals are being asked to allocate additional beds to accommodate more active cases and to stockpile on needed critical medical supplies, particularly oxygen supply, as a result of a possible surge in Delta cases, the more transmissible and infectious COVID-19 strain that originated from India.

This was bared by Dr. Rheuel Bobis, Medical Director IV and COVID-19 focal person, and said the region should prepare for the possible onslaught of the Delta variant that will require more beds and medical supplies.

He confirmed that medical oxygen supply in the region is still sufficient and resources are being planned to increase the supply; augmentation of medical personnel in high-risk areas in the region is also a part of the preparation.

He added that coordinated tighter border controls among the provinces is imperative to block the entry of carriers of the dreaded variant.

He cited reports that the Delta variant was already detected on the specimens of some returning Overseas Filipinos and Overseas Filipino Workers in the National Capital Region, Visayas and Mindanao.

Bobis also sought stricter border control points and more effective monitoring of all persons from the NCR Plus entering the region.

“By effecting stricter border control points, we can be sure that all persons coming to Region 1 through our borders will be thoroughly screened and their documents validated to really prevent the entry of the Delta Plus variant into our region,” he said.

According to Bobis, since the Delta variant already managed to enter the country, the stepped up roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine is urgently necessary.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) noted that only eight percent of the people of the targeted population eligible for vaccination had been vaccinated, prompting Dr. Anna de Guzman, provincial health officer, to renew her call to the public not to delay their vaccination.

At the same time, Dr. De Guzman has reassured that no Delta variant has so far been detected in Pangasinan as shown by the latest data from her office that showed cases of COVID-19 were again on a decline as more recoveries were again being recorded against the number of new confirmed cases logged. (Leonardo Micua)

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