Capiceños Urged to Stay Calm Amid Mpox Case

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – “Be calm and don’t panic.”

This was the assurance of Dr. Ramon Alex Nolasco, provincial health officer of the Capiz Provincial Health Office (PHO), after a Capiceño tested positive for monkeypox, also known as Mpox.

The PHO confirmed last week that a female resident of Pontevedra town was the first confirmed Mpox case in Capiz.

Nolasco said the patient has already fully recovered.

However, 42 individuals identified as close contacts are currently under close monitoring by health authorities.

He added that laboratory results are still pending for five other suspected Mpox cases submitted by the PHO.

The provincial government urged Capiceños to remain calm, cooperative, and vigilant.

It also strongly advised the public to continue observing minimum public health standards, including proper hygiene, wearing face masks in closed and crowded areas, observing cough and sneeze etiquette, and avoiding close contact with individuals showing symptoms such as fever, unexplained rashes, or swollen lymph nodes.

Residents were also encouraged to seek prompt medical consultation when symptoms occur.

Earlier, the PHO said it had prepared its primary care centers and government hospitals to respond to potential Mpox cases.

Nolasco said isolation rooms, testing kits, and specimen collection tools have already been distributed across municipal and provincial health offices in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH).

Charmaine Quimpo, head of Infectious Disease and Environmental/Occupational Health, added that Tecovirimat, the antiviral drug used to treat Mpox, is on standby and ready for distribution once a case is confirmed.