BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong is moving to stop the surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases by subjecting residents with early symptoms to health assessments.
Magalong issued on Monday Memorandum No. 123 series of 2020 ordering Punong Barangays and members of the Barangay Health Emergency Teams (BHERTs) to implement a campaign that will encourage residents experiencing flu-like symptoms to subject themselves to early check-ups in the barangay level.
He said, “If we assess people with flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and fatigue early, we can immediately identify the carriers and isolate them, thereby preventing further virus transmission.”
An increase in COVID-19 cases has been recorded in the city in the past days with clustering observed in two barangays. Most of the latest patients manifested symptoms.
Magalong said the city is ready for the expected rush of patients as he had already instructed the City Health Services Office to prepare the different health centers for the influx of residents who will need medical attention and even testing.
“Although we have had an increase of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the city in recent weeks, we are completely prepared and capacitated with adequate testing and isolation facilities for our constituents,” Magalong said.
He said the city is also ready to address future cases with its well-placed contact tracing, testing, isolation, and medical systems but the residents’ cooperation remains to be a crucial factor.
Magalong appealed, “Please bear with us and continue to be vigilant in observing our health and quarantine protocols by wearing your masks properly at all times, washing your hands, observing cough and sneeze etiquettes, limiting your travels outside of the home to essentials, maintaining physical distancing, and avoiding the 3 Cs: Crowded Places; Close contact settings; and Confined and enclosed spaces.”