Keep safe while celebrating Kadayawan.
That’s the gentle but steadfast reminder from the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force for Dabawenyos to be vigilant and always wear face masks during the Kadayawan sa Davao festival as Covid-19 cases in the city continue to rise beyond the acceptable positivity rate of 5 percent.
Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the task force, said with a big event such as the Kadayawan sa Davao Festival all the more Dabawenyos need to observe the minimum public health standards (MPHS) such as proper hand hygiene, and also in getting themselves vaccinated.
According to her active cases on August 5, 2022, surged to 105 since the city was placed under Alert Level 1 status in March 2022.
“Naa ta’y 105 cases today, that’s 14 percent beyond sa five percent acceptable positivity rate. Naa ma’y adlaw mubaba sya but naga go beyond na gyud sya,” she said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Friday.
Schlosser said it is the goal of the city government of Davao to maintain not just good health in the community but also open the economy. She also said that people should not wait for the city to tighten Covid-19 protocols and implement stricter restrictions again.
“Unta magpabilin tang matinumanon sa mga health protocols labi na sa pag follow sa atoang minimum public health standards. ginabuhat sa atong LGU, sa task force ug vaccination cluster ang tanan istratehiya na mapaduol sa inyuha ang pag-avail sa vaccination. We are really hoping and knocking on your doors literally and figuratively na i-avail na ninyo ang bakuna because the data is showing us na ga work gyud ang bakuna,” she said.
Schlosser reported that at least 3,808 individuals availed the “Bakuna Para sa Katawhan Karong Kadayawan” at the People’s Park held from July 26 to 30, which catered to five to 11 years old, 12 to 17, and 18-above vaccinees who got their missed, primary, and booster jabs.
She also said the first dose has reached 1,35,551 while the second dose hit 1,327,505 as of July 29. However, the booster turnout remained low with 292,363 for first jabs and only 46,336 for second shots.
“We’re really hoping, knocking on your doors literally and figuratively. Avail na inyong bakuna. The data is showing us, naga-work gyud ang bakuna. This week, we have two deaths – unvaccinated individuals. Ang isa ana senior citizen ug ang isa naa sa 40 to 49 age group, which is too young to die due to the disease,” Schlosser added.
Meanwhile, the city government of Davao officially opened the Kadayawan Village at Magsaysay Park and the Kadayawan 3D mapping and light show on Friday.
With the theme “Kasikas sa Kadayawan,” the 37th Kadayawan sa Davao will be highlighted with various activities that include “Bantawan,” a cultural show by Davao City’s 11 tribes, the “Dula Kadayawan” or tribal games, “Hiyas sa Kadayawan,” “Indak Indak sa Kadayawan,” and “Pamulak sa Kadayawan.”
