DAVAO CITY – The local task force on coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has urged unvaccinated and individuals eligible for boosters here to get inoculated to protect themselves from transmission and severity of the disease as it reported that the positivity rate has increased to three percent Wednesday, June 22.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson for the task force, said in her program over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that the latest positivity rate is the highest so far here where the rate was averaging below one percent in the previous weeks.

She said that the slight increase in the number of Covid-19 cases should not be a major cause of concern as the positivity rate remains below the acceptable threshold of five percent.

Schlosser said local authorities are monitoring the Covid-19 situation.

She added that from June 12 to 18, this city reported 28 cases, three of whom were unvaccinated, and 25 were fully vaccinated but most of them have not received booster shots.

Additional 10 cases have been reported in the city on June 22, she said.

She said mild cases are allowed to undergo home isolation, provided they meet certain requirements.

According to the City Information Office, the guidelines provided by Department of Health state that “a confirmed Covid-19 positive patient, who underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, may qualify for home isolation if he or she has a bedroom with attached CR or toilet and bath.”

“We remind the public to follow the minimum public health standards such as wearing face masks and maintaining hand hygiene. We also encourage the public to get their vaccines, especially those who are eligible for booster,” she said.

She said that it is important for people to receive their primary first and second doses, including the booster shots, to protect themselves from transmission and severe symptoms of the disease.