简体中文
By APD writer Melo M. Acuña
MANILA, Jan. 27 (APD) – With 11 patients under close observation for the possibility of having acquired Novel Corona Virus, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said they already established a task force and issued interim guidelines on the 2019-nCOV.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, the Department of Health said two are under observation in Metro Manila, including a 78-year old male at the Asian Hospital and a 44-year old male at the Adventist Hospital. A ten-year old female is being observed at El Nido in Palawan Province while a 29-year old male is currently confined at the Camiguin General Hospital in northern Mindanao.
Three others, including a 32-year-old female, a six-year old boy and a 24-year old female are under close watch at a government hospital in Kalibo, Aklan while a 36-year old male is under observation at a government hospital in Tacloban, Leyte.
Two patients are being observed at a government hospital in Cebu city while a 61-year old female remains confined at a private hospital still in Cebu City.
Secretary Duque said they have heightened border screening through thermal scanning and requirement of Health Declaration Checklist.
“Authorities will also use a decision table in evaluation sick passengers,” he said. He explained the decision table will include details of the person’s fever, respiratory infection, residence and/or travel history, history of exposure and appropriate actions to be taken.
There will also be a triage at the arrival area for sick passengers and preparations have been made for laboratories and hospitals.
Foreign Affairs officials led by Acting Secretary J. Eduardo Malaya met with Health officials headed by Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje to discuss appropriate measures and protocols for overseas Filipinos with the threat of 2019-nCOV. No overseas Filipino has been reported afflicted with the virus to date. (DFA Photos by Lorenzo Vidal)
The Department of Health has also established 2019-nCOV surveillance with daily updates as well as risk communication in all communication venues.
He also called on the general public to do appropriate self-protection measures including hand hygiene, avoidance of symptomatic persons, proper coughing etiquette, avoiding contact with farm animals, enough water consumption, cooking food thoroughly as well as immediate consultation when experiencing symptoms.
Meanwhile, at the Department of Foreign Affairs, officials and experts met with health authorities to introduce appropriate measures to protect overseas Filipinos.
In a statement released this afternoon the DFA said Acting Foreign Secretary J. Eduardo Malaya met with health experts and authorities from the Department of Health to discuss strategies to respond to health emergency brought about by the novel corona virus.
The officials discussed protocols in evacuation and repatriation of Filipinos in Wuhan city and other affected cities and provinces as well as the formulation of further health advisories for overseas Filipinos in affected countries.
Health Undersecretary for Public Health Services Myrna Cabotaje said preventive measures should be observed.
The DFA said there remains no report of any Filipino abroad afflicted with the said virus. They also called for close coordination with Filipino communities seeking volunteer nurses and doctors who may serve as first responders for the overseas Filipinos in affected areas.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
