THE Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital in Luneta has registered an occupancy rate of 70 percent now, since it began operations on June 25.

This was announced by Mayor Isko Moreno, as he also thanked the thousands of volunteers who swiftly responded to his ‘Bayanihan sa Maynila’ launch, where he called on volunteers to help him set up a 24/7 vaccination program to be conducted in three sites in each of the city’s six districts.

Moreno said the 344-bed MCFH headed by Dr. Arlene Dominguez is now 70 percent full and as such appealed to the residents to continue observing basic health protocols amid the rising cases of the Delta variant in various parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the mayor said that those who volunteered to be part of the vaccinating teams will undergo orientation under MHD assistant chief Dr. Ed Santos, Executive Assistant Weng Santiago and Jet Aquino and so that when the vaccines arrive, they can be deployed outright.

The volunteers, who will be provided with free meals only, will be taking over from where the daytime vaccinating teams have left so they can take their much-needed rest.

The city of Manila operates 18 vaccination sites using public schools and four more utilizing shopping malls.

The vaccination is normally done for a period of 14 hours minimum and even on holidays and weekends if vaccines are available.

Moreno also called on vaccinees not to appear at the vaccination sites for their second dose unless they have received a text message.

The mayor’s appeal came after Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, who is in charge of the city’s mass vaccination program along with Manila Health Department chief Dr. Poks Pangan, reported to him that some residents up for second dose appeared in a mall site despite the absence of any advise and while the local government has yet to receive from the national government its allotment for the said second dose.

Latest records gathered by Lacuna showed that 99.92 percent have shown up for their second dose vaccination as of July 31, 2021.

Moreno said he is proud of the citizens of Manila who are very eager to get vaccinated and who make sure they get their second dose.

For the small percentage of those who fail to make it for their second jab, Moreno had this to say: ” Wag ninyong sayangin kasi nade-deprive din ‘yung iba. Laging me text sa second dose.”

In another development, second dose night vaccination was held in Divisoria, Recto from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. for those working during daytime in the markets like vendors, errand boys, kuliglig drivers and other workers at the Divisoria Night Market.

Second dose inoculation was also held in schools and malls yesterday.