Strict observance of health regulations still best protection Lambda variant
By Chito Chavez
Amid the detection of the first case of the Lambda variant in the country, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said strict community quarantine protocols and adherence to public health standards are still the best protection against any variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“The same pa din. Stay at home na lang muna (It is still the same. Stay at home in the meantime. I have advised the LGUs 9local government units) and PNP (Philippine National Police) to be strict in the implementation of these protocols),’’ Año said in a Viber message.
On August 15, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that it has detected the first case of the COVID-19 Lambda in the country first seen in Peru.
It noted that the country’s first Lambda case is a 35-year old female who is currently being validated whether she is a local or returning overseas Filipino (OFW).
With this development, Año stressed that the local government units (LGUs) “must continue the (COVID-19) vaccination without let up. Everyone must do his part.’’
The DILG chief also lambasted individuals getting booster shots or those jumping to other areas to get a third COVID-19 vaccine injection which is illegal at the time when there is still an insufficient number of vaccines.
“Those selfish individuals wanting booster shots would deny the opportunities for others to be fully vaccinated,’’ Año said.
This scenario prompted Año to support the move of the Metro Manila mayors to pass ordinances that penalize persons getting the COVID-19 booster shots with the government having difficulty acquiring more vaccine supply.
‘I support the idea of (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) Chairman Benhur Abalos. We need to inoculate as much as we can," he added.
Two fully vaccinated persons were earlier charged in Quezon City for violating an ordinance prohibiting COVID-19 vaccination fraud after getting a third dose.
National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 chief implementor Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. clarified that COVID-19 booster shots are still forbidden in the country with only over 10 percent of the population fully vaccinated as of now. (Chito A. Chavez)