Another batch of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) arrived on Wednesday at the Ilocos Norte Capitol to speed up the ongoing mass vaccination here.

The latest vaccine delivery consisted of 23,350 doses of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen, 8,900 doses of AstraZeneca, and 3,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V, according to a record list of the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 1.

Just in time when the province’s health system is at the “tipping point” due to increasing numbers of infections, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said he is delighted to receive more vaccines from the national government which will be administered immediately to the priority list groups of senior citizens, persons with comorbidities as well as families of healthcare workers.

The delivery also included an initial 340 vials (3,400 doses) of provincial government’s purchased AstraZeneca vaccines.

The Ilocos Norte vaccination team confirmed earlier that they will also start vaccinating those under the A4 categories or those from the working economy sector which will focus on ambulant and market vendors, public utility drivers and tourism workers, among others.

More vaccines are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, according to health officials.

Based on the DOH vaccine allocation, Laoag City which is considered as the epicenter of local transmission with 759 active cases as of July 20, will get most of the Janssen vaccines, to be followed by other high risk areas which include Batac City, Dingras, San Nicolas, Vintar, Badoc and Pasuquin.

All other towns will also have their share of the vaccines with a buffer stock of at least 350 doses.

To arrest the increasing number of coronavirus cases which is now at 1,516 active cases, the provincial government has requested the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases to declare the entire province under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), a step higher from its current modified GCQ status.

While waiting for approval, the governor issued another executive order on Tuesday to limit the movement of people to work, accessing essential goods and services, and individual exercise.

Village officials whose areas are under lockdown are also directed to place barricades and monitor the entry and exit of people. Curfew and liquor ban are also set from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. except for authorized persons outside residence (APORs) who work during curfew hours. (PNA)