VIRUS WATCH: COVID-19 testing for patients with acute respiratory ailments

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The declaration of the public health emergency of the national government has prompted health authorities in Western Visayas to intensify efforts to keep the region free from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Department of Health-Center for Health Development in Western Visayas (DOH-CHD)-6 said on Monday that it will track down cases of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in the region for further assessment.

“The declaration of Code Red sublevel 1 also prompted the DOH-6 to intensify tracking for further assessment. Surveillance officers were instructed to intensify contact tracing,” Dr. Marlyn Convocar, DOH-6 regional director 6 said Monday.

The national government declared a state of public health emergency following confirmation of local transmission of COVID-19 in the country.

According to Dr. Jessie Glenn Alonsabe, DOH-6 regional epidemiologist, they will intensify the SARI surveillance of patients admitted in Level II and Level III hospitals.

“Indi man siya bag-o, it has been going on since the time of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) but considering we have local transmissions we will strictly monitor patients admitted in Level II and Level III hospitals in the region,” Alonsabe said in a press conference on Monday.

Samples of patients with SARIs will be sent to the laboratory for COVID-19 testing.

As of March 9, the health department assured the public that Western Visayas remains free from coronavirus.

“Forty of the 42 persons under investigation (PUI) reported since January 2020 tested negative from COVID-19. One had other respiratory pathogens detected during the laboratory testing. The other one is waiting for the result of the laboratory tests,” Convocar said.

Meantime, DOH-6 encouraged the public to refrain from touching their faces to reduce the risk of contamination.

According to Convocar, practicing self-protective measures is strongly advised to the public such as frequent hand washing, cough etiquette, and social distancing of at least one meter from other people.

“The DOH 6 is also encouraging the public to stop touching their faces especially their mouth, eyes, and nose to reduce the risk of surface contamination. Routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces such as tables and doorknobs, light switches, handles, toilets, and faucets is also advised,” she added.

 

Aggressive measures

Meanwhile, an “aggressive” rollout of protective measures in different establishments is in order if Iloilo City wants to prevent the entry of COVID-19.

This was the call of Dr. Annabelle Tang, officer-in-charge at the Iloilo City Health Office, during the meeting of the hotel sector, food and non-food establishments and other stakeholders in the metro on Monday.

“From now on, we should be more aggressive especially in doing protective measures against COVID-19. We should do disinfection sa aton establishments twice a day,” she said.

According to Tang, business establishments especially hotels in the metro should disinfect their rooms including doors, floors, and tables to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus.

“We should do disinfection in the rooms of the hotel everyday. They should disinfect the door knobs, tables, chairs, doors, and floors regardless if may person under monitoring (PUM) nga gina-accommodate or wala. We just have to be sure,” she stressed.

Tang said businesses must highlight the importance of frequent hand washing by providing alcohol and hand sanitizers in all of their counters.

“Important key is really frequent hand washing so the establishments should continue to provide alcohol and hand sanitizers,” she furthered.

Meanwhile, executive assistant Francis Cruz also appealed for huge malls to put off their scheduled upcoming sales amid the threats of COVID-19.

“Nagapangabay kita sa Robinsons and SM if they could put off their sale. Consider naton nga madamo sang maabot nga bisita and we don’t know if diin ni sila mahalin,” he said.

Cruz added that they are awaiting the decision of the mayor for the holding graduation exercises and activities in the metro.

“We have to look into this because its graduation time and a lot are coming in for vacation or attending the graduation,” he said.

Mayor Jerry Treñas has announced the cancellation of moving up ceremonies for day care schools in the metro including other scheduled major events amid the concerns over COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Tang appealed for cooperation among stakeholders in the metro in order to keep the city free from COVID-19.
“Na-surpass naton ang dengue for two months last year because nag-work kita together. It was even an outbreak. Let us show COVID that we can do the same,” she said.