COTABATO CITY—The Covid-19 cases in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have shown its significant and continuous decline in the region this week according to the report of Ministry of Health (MOH) Director-General Dr. Ameril Usman during an interview on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 at “Sakto Balita” program.
As per MOH data (Feb. 2, 2022), a total of 93 number of positive cases has been recorded in the region. Of which, 29 cases came from Maguindanao; 8 cases came from Lanao Del Sur and Marawi City; 15 cases in Basilan and Lamitan City; 1 case in Tawi-Tawi; 15 cases in Sulu; and 25 cases in Cotabato City.
“Aside from the decline of our cases in the region, we have mild to asymptomatic new cases which really means, vaccine works. Only 2 cases in Lanao Del Sur with moderate to severe cases have been recorded and they are both co-morbid—old and unvaccinated,” Usman added.
The MOH has fully vaccinated 23.18% of 3.4 million population target in the region with almost 50% vaccination rate, including the partially vaccinated.
During the recent “Bayanihan Bakunahan”, BARMM has vaccinated 20% rate of its population.
However, vaccine hesitancy is still high in the region. One of the main reasons is the target community’s “personal belief” as well as their remote residency.
“We have strategies in combating the vaccination hesitancy in the region by providing “ayuda” to those who are willing to vaccinate and using all media platforms in the dissemination of accurate information on the safety and benefits of vaccination in partnership with United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) and Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO),” Dr. Usman further explained. (Kasan M. Usop, Jr./BIO)
