OF THE 296 coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) deaths in private hospitals in Cebu from Aug. 1 to 21, 2021, only 31 were fully vaccinated. A total of 250 were unvaccinated, while 15 had received the first dose.
Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, spokesperson of the Visayas Vaccination Operations Center (VVOC), released the data during her daily briefing on the vaccination operation in Central Visayas on Monday, Aug. 23.
Loreche said the deaths were recorded in level 2 and 3 private hospitals in Metro Cebu, but the patients came from all over Cebu Province.
The victims either died due to Covid-19 infection or succumbed to complications of other diseases but they tested positive for Covid-19.
Loreche clarified that a fully vaccinated individual can still die of Covid-19, but the death can be caused by many factors.
If a patient has a comorbidity, then the body’s response to treatment can be an uphill battle, she said. The delay in seeking medical help can also be a factor, as it can cause problems that compromise various organs like the lungs and kidneys, among others.
Despite these, Loreche said they still encourage the public to get vaccinated as vaccination really saves lives.
Their data show that 85 percent of the Covid deaths in private hospitals this month were unvaccinated individuals.
She said they have yet to acquire the breakdown of Covid-19 deaths in public hospitals.
Loreche said the critical care utilization rate (CCUR) in Cebu on Saturday, Aug. 21, was 67 percent, down from the week before when it ranged between 75 and 80 percent.
However, the CCUR is still considered high since only a CCUR below 60 percent is considered safe.
The VVOC also reported that it has administered a total of 1,233,055 vaccines, as of Aug. 21, of which 759,903 were first doses and 473,152 were second doses. (KFD)