The Department of Health (DOH)-Cordillera reported that the health system capacity of the region remains low risk due to its high vaccination rate of over 1.2 million out of its more than 1.4 million target population.

Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, assistant regional director of the DOH-Cordillera and the spokesperson of the agency, on Tuesday said that based on the July 17 collated report on the healthcare utilization rate (HCUR), the region remains at low risk with an average of 6.21 percent.

She said that Ifugao and Mountain Province have a zero-percent bed occupancy rate; Abra with 9.38 percent, Apayao with 14.89 percent; Baguio City with 9.50 percent; Benguet with 8.26 percent, and Kalinga with 1.43 percent.

“As a region, we are under low risk,” Pangilinan said.

As of July 17, the region has 249 active cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), with Baguio City having the most number at 160 cases, followed by Benguet at 56.

She said that the mild incidence of Covid-19 among patients contributed to the low-risk classification of the region’s healthcare utilization.

“Marami na rin kasi ang nabakunahan kaya hindi na nagiging severe ang cases ng mga nahahawaan ng Covid (There are now many who have been vaccinated that is why they do not get a severe infection when transmitted with the virus),” the doctor said.

As of the first week of July, the region has given the anti-Covid-19 vaccine to over 1.2 million people out of the more than 1.4 million targeted eligible population in the six provinces and two cities of Cordillera.

Officials earlier said many cases have chosen to home isolate because they were only feeling mild symptoms.

“Pabakuna tayo at parati pa rin natin observe ang safety protocols kasi may Covid pa rin naman (let us get vaccinated and always observe the safety protocols,” Pangilinan said. (PNA)