TAGUIG City administered a record-high 16,625 COVID-19 jabs on July 31, a whopping 200 percent of the National Vaccination Operations Center’s target of 8,000 a day.

The local government attributed the feat to the hardworking healthcare workers and vaccination teams who have sacrificed a lot to ensure the City’s continuous aggressive COVID-19 vaccination program especially amid the threat of the highly-contagious Delta variant.

The City Government also thanked Taguigeños for their trust, as they continue to arrive in the City’s vaccination hubs or make use of the City’s other means for inoculation such as the vaccination bus and the home service vaccination program for bedridden patients.

In a speech, Mayor Lino Cayetano urged unvaccinated Taguigeños to take the opportunity to avail of the government’s free vaccination as soon as it is their turn during the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila from Aug. 6 to 20.

Mayor Lino made the call as he noted more vaccines would be made available especially amid the threat of the Delta variant, which is becoming the globally dominant variant due to its transmissibility.

The Department of Health earlier said the Delta variant could be up to 60 percent more transmissible.

While an Alpha variant-positive can infect three to four people, the DOH said a Delta variant-positive person can infect eight people in one sitting.

“Para ho may panangga tayo, para ho may panglaban tayo, kailangan ho tayo ay bakunado,” Mayor Lino said.

The City has also been consistent in reminding Taguigeños about the need to follow safety protocols such as the wearing of face shields and face masks, social distancing, and the washing of hands to avoid the virus.

Mayor Lino acknowledged the ECQ would entail a “big sacrifice” on the part of everyone but noted the decision made by the IATF and President Rodrigo Duterte was to ensure everyone’s safety.

He noted because of the Delta variant, daily COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila could “double or triple” in only one to two weeks’ time, which can put a strain on the metropolis’ hospitals and medical facilities.

Earlier, the DOH, citing projections, said daily new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila could reach 11,000 by the end of September if health protocols are not followed due to the Delta variant.

Mayor Lino gave the assurance eligible individuals would receive financial assistance from the national government and relief goods from the local government during the ECQ to ensure their needs are met.

“Bayanihan po ito at hinding hindi kayo pababayaan ng ating gobyerno,” he highlighted.