Region receives over 77,000 AstraZeneca vaccines
TACLOBAN CITY- Amid the rising cases of coronavirus disease(COVID-19) in Eastern Samar, Bishop Crispin Varquez declared July 20 as a day of prayer and fasting or ‘Adlaw hin Pag-ampo ngan Pagpuasa’ enjoining all the priests and the faithful in the diocese ‘to beg God to save us from this critical and grim situation.’
“I admonish all Catholics in our diocese to offer this day of prayer and fasting. Let us ask God for deliverance from this pandemic,” the prelate said on his letter issued on Wednesday (July 14).
“We trust God will surely hear the cries and supplications of His people, through the intercession of Our Lady, the patroness of the diocese,” Varquez added.
During this day, there will be a simultaneous celebrations of the Holy Hour and Holy Mass with the fasting from food will be an expression of solidarity for those who have lost their loved ones and those who continue to suffer due to COVID-19, Bishop Varquez said.
“May this day of prayer and fasting shed light to all those who are in the dark, and may it spark hope in those who are afraid,” he added.
At present, Eastern Samar has 2,784 total COVID-19 cases with 67 deaths.
Meantime, 77,500 doses of AstraZeneca arrived in the region in the region last Wednesday (July 14).
This is the biggest yet number of doses received by the region which is expected to help fast track the vaccination in the region, Jelyn Lopez Malibago, information officer of the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH), said.
Of these doses, 53,200 doses are intended for second dose of those who have received their first jabs last May, she added.
The remaining 24,300 will be administered for first and second dose for those considered in the priority groups, she added.
As of July 10, 243,617 individuals have already received their first dose across the region of which 92,370 of them completing the vaccination process.
The DOH also reported on Friday (July 16) of 233 fresh cases, pushing the region’s total COVID-19 cases to 33,414 since the start of the pandemic begun over a year ago.
Currently, the region has 1,561 active cases with 31,444 considered to have recovered from the dreaded ailment which already resulted in the death of 409 individuals. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
