GCQ status no guarantee to reduce COVID cases

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said placing Negros Occidental under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) until July 31 is not a guarantee that COVID-19 cases will be reduced.

“It really depends on the compliance of every individual, as far as minimum health standards are concerned, and vaccination,” Lacson said.

Negros Occidental earlier received 34,800 doses of Sinovac vaccine, its biggest vaccine allocation, so far.

Bacolod City received 7,800.

Lacson said the downloading of vaccines to local government units that are ready to administer the jabs to residents in priority categories started Wednesday.

He called on persons who are included in the priority list to get vaccinated.

“Take the vaccine during your schedule and consider it a blessing that you will be vaccinated,” Lacson said.

He said that if there are no-shows, provincial government employees will take their place and receive the jab.

Lacson said that the Pfizer vaccine vial is very sensitive and should be used immediately once it is taken out from the ultra-low freezer.

Each Pfizer vial is equivalent to six doses.