By Minerva Newman
CEBU CITY -- The Bohol provincial technical working group (TWG) on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases has declared that there is no case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) in Bohol to date, while the 11 remaining persons under investigation (PUIs) have all tested negative for the virus and have been discharged from hospitals.
TWG on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases spokesperson Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez said the that the "very good news” must not, however, be reason for the province to relax its measures as new competent national advisories are still expected.
Lopez pointed out that Bohol was no longer considering any PUIs who came in contact with the 60 year COVID-19 positive Chinese woman because the World Health Organization (WHO) observation protocol only set a quarantine period of 14 days from the time of close contact with a positive case.
Bohol governor Arthur Yap commended the TWG for keeping him always updated on the situation and called the recent good news as “good development and a big relief."
"But then again, Bohol has to expect further relevant advice from DOH and national guidance," Yap said.
The TWG members’ hard work and dedication earned praises from the local media and the public for its updated news and for its transparency, Yap added.
Lopez sees the need for the TWG to become a permanent policy making body that is prepared at all times. This must be created via a provincial ordinance after it was constituted by an executive order issued by acting governor Rene Relampagos to focus on the COVID- 2019 situation.
Lopez also recommended to include the PNP anti-cyber crime group in the TWG amid the spread of fake news creating panic, fear and confusion.
Lopez also suggested the creation of Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) facilities in the Visayas and Mindanao for easier and faster access to urgent laboratory services which are critical to emergency management.