BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental received an additional 3,080 vials of the AstraZeneca vaccine, good for 30,800 doses, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said yesterday.
The latest supply of vaccines will be administered to those 56 years old and above, Diaz said, adding that there is no advisory yet for the inoculation of 18 to 55 years old because of its adverse effects.
“Until we get a clearance, the AstraZeneca will only be administered to individuals above 56 years old,” he added.
The latest shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines formed part of the 2,030,000 vaccines from the Covax Facility, a global initiative led by the World Health Organization that arrived on May 8 in the country.
Diaz said that the provincial government is not lagging behind in administering the vaccines to Negrenses, adding that they are now catering to senior citizens, belonging to the A2 category. “The problem since the beginning is the lack of supply of vaccines,” he added.
ISOLATION FACILITIES
Diaz said that a hotel in Bacolod City is now available for Persons Under Monitoring or Covid-19 positive patients, for P1,500 per day, including the P600 food expense.
This option is available to those who will not stay in the quarantine facilities of the provincial government, he added.
Diaz also announced that they already opened 150 more rooms at the EB Magalona Healing Center to accommodate more Covid patients.
He also said they are allowing other people to contribute folding beds and electric fans for use at the quarantine facility, and even encouraged patients to bring in personal beddings, as the provincial government is finding ways to add more to what is needed.*
