Bacolod City’s Emergency Operations Center-Task Force (EOC-TF) mounted a two-day vaccination drive at the 888 Chinatown Square on September 25 to 26 as the number of COVID-19 deaths rose to 112 on Thursday, September 24.

The weekend inoculation targeted 888 shoppers, City Administrator Em Legaspi-Ang, concurrent EOC-TF executive director and COVID-19 Vaccination Council (CoVaC) coordinator, said.

The said mall vaccination venue adds up to the existing 33 sites that were set up to accommodate as many Bacolod residents willing to get inoculated against the deadly virus.

The EOC-TF aims to vaccinate every eligible resident to prevent hospitalization and deaths due to COVID infection.

From September 1 to 24, a total of 112 COVID-19 patients from Bacolod City died. Of the fatalities, 99 were unvaccinated, while 13 were either fully vaccinated or had received their first dose.

“The actual data from many studies showed that vaccines are effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalization and deaths,” EOC-TF said.

Ang said the city government and the EOC-TF highly appreciate the support of 888 Chinatown Square management in the LGU’s vaccination drive.

Public and private partnership plays a major role in the city’s  COVID response, she said.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia renewed his call on barangay folk to get inoculated soonest and help educate their families about COVID-19 as their contribution to the city government’s  campaign against the pandemic.

The LGU, through the EOC-TF and the CoVaC, offers several flexible methods to get COVID-19 jabs for Bacolod residents, which include five buses for the VAX-i mobile vaccination drive; onsite vaccination drive, barangays and clusters vaccination; mall-based vaccination at Ayala Malls Capitol Central, CityMall Goldenfield, CityMall Mandalagan, Gaisano City, Robinsons Place Bacolod, and SM City; two drive-thru vaccinations; and 24-hour vaccination at Jollibee Gatuslao and Jollibee East./WDJ