Pateros Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III said the municipal government is aiming to fully vaccinate 100 percent of its target population in less than a month.
“Based on my estimate, in less than one month, we will finish 100 percent of the second dose of our target population,” said the mayor during the press briefing of Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Tuesday.
Pateros originally set its target population for vaccination at 49,000, or 70 percent of the estimated population of 70,000.
However, as the number of people wanting to get vaccinated increased in Pateros, the municipal government increased its target population to 80 percent, or 56,000.
Ponce said to date, the municipal government has vaccinated 51,732 individuals with the first dose, or 105 percent of the original target population, and 92.38 percent of the new target.
For the second dose, 30,846 are now fully vaccinated in Pateros, or 63 percent of the original target, and 55 percent of the new target population.
According to the mayor, the municipal government accomplished this despite having only four doctors in four vaccination sites.
Ponce has been urging residents, especially senior citizens, to get vaccinated for protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The Department of Health (DOH) classified Pateros as a critical risk area based on two-week growth rates (TWGR) and average daily attack rate (ADAR) of COVID-19.
Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire reported on Monday that Pateros has three Delta variant cases.
Pateros has 299 active COVID-19 cases as of Aug. 8 and its TWGR is 364.38 percent, the highest in Metro Manila, based on the increase in the COVID-19 cases from July 12 to 25 and July 25 to Aug. 8. Its moving ADAR is 34.97 percent, the highest in Metro Manila.
The DOH also placed Pateros on Alert Level 4. Under this level, the DOH recommends granular lockdowns and active case finding. For areas with Delta variant cases, the DOH advises the use of rapid antigen tests. Under Alert Level 4, there is a need to increase hospital beds, especially ICU beds; oxygen needs should be ensured; and severe and critical cases must be immediately and properly referred.