IATF urged to send experts to Cagayan De Oro vs. COVID-19 Delta variant

Cagayan De Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez on Friday urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to send a team of experts to the city to prevent the spread of the more infectious Delta variant in the area.

The lawmaker from Cagayan de Oro City issued the statement after the Philippines reported its first 11 local cases of the Delta variant, five of whom were from Cagayan de Oro.

“I urge the IATF to send a team of experts on the Delta variant immediately to CDO to assist the LGU in implementing the proper steps to prevent the outbreak of the Delta variant in CDO,” Rodriguez said in a statement.

“I also request that more vaccines be re-directed and immediately sent to the CDO which is now the battleground of this Delta variant to protect the residents of CDO,” it added.

Earlier, the IATF has placed Iloilo province and the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, and Gingoog under enhanced community quarantine until July 31.

Rodriguez also urged authorities to strictly enforce quarantine measures.

“I call on every Kagay-anon to #StayHome and adhere to the guidelines and health protocols set by the IATF. It is in working together and acting with caution that we will be able to successfully defeat the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Vice President Leni Robredo has also urged the public to follow the health protocols for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has logged a total of 1,496,328 cases, of which 1,421,372 have recovered and 26,476 have died. —NB/KG, GMA News