LEGAZPI CITY, Albay: The Department of Health (DoH) in Bicol has launched massive vaccination against Covid-19 in temporary shelters here after two internally displaced persons in Daraga town currently housed at Gabawan evacuation camp were found coronavirus-positive.
The vaccination was conducted in Gabawan on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, and will be done in all evacuation camps, Dr. Ernie Vera, DoH-Bicol regional official said.
"We are encouraging the public, specifically those in the evacuation camps, to undergo Covid-19 vaccination. We are conducting vaccination for your safety," Vera also said.
The DoH-Bicol said an 81-year-old woman was found positive, adding that she had been in close contact with 30 persons.
One of those 30 persons in the Gabawan shelter also tested positive.
Meanwhile, a 12-year-old boy suspected of having Covid-19 was isolated at the Daraga infirmary.
The DoH-Bicol has formed a surveillance team in partnership with the Local Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit to determine if the elderly woman had close contacts with more than 30 persons.
Vera urged the displaced families showing symptoms of Covid-19 such as fever, cough, cold, body aches, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in breathing and any combination of these symptoms, to immediately consult health care workers inside the evacuation camps.
The DoH and the Albay Provincial Health Office are also conducting health education in the camps to prevent infection and spread of Covid-19.
Masks and alcohol have been sent to the evacuees.
Vera reminded the public, specifically the internally displaced families, to continue wearing masks, especially in crowded places, sanitizing and washing hands, observing social distancing and knowing the correct information about Covid-19.
