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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DILG Secretary Año narrates his ordeal against COVID-19

DILG Secretary Año narrates his ordeal against COVID-19

Published Sep 6, 2020 07:20 pm

After being infected by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) twice, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Sunday stressed that it is the “personal responsibility’’ of each individual to strictly follow quarantine protocols.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

He specifically emphasized the urgency to follow minimum health standards like wearing face masks, maintaining physical distancing and observing proper hygiene like frequent hand washing.

Año also advised the public to avoid crowded places especially in enclosed air-conditioned buildings, adding that face shields should also be worn in these areas.

In the event one gets infected with COVID-19, Año pointed out that it is important for the patient to immediately contact health professionals even if he or she has mild or no symptoms at all.

He reminded those infected by the virus to avoid home quarantine and have themselves confined in state-run COVID-19 isolation facilities or private health isolation facilities.

The DILG chief noted these isolation facilities have doctors that can monitor their state of health and attend to them appropriately in case their condition worsens.

“Labanan talaga ito ng time dapat you outlive the virus for 14 days or the virus will wreck your body especially its hard if the virus hits your lungs at mahirap ka huminga (This is a fight against time, you have to outlive the virus for 14 days or the virus will wreck your body especially its hard if the virus hits your lungs, it is difficult to breathe),’’  Año said.

Año narrated that he was confined at midnight of August 15 at St. Luke's Hospital  with mild symptoms for the virus like body ache, sore throat and fever.

But on August 18, 19, and 20, Año confirmed experiencing simultaneous COVID-19 symptoms like diarrhea and constant coughing.

“Matinding ubo ito yung mahirap kasi dry cough siya pero every second and the whole day and night (Constant coughing and what is difficult is it is dry cough every second and the whole day and night),’’ he added.

Año admitted being very weak and had difficulty breathing as the doctors constantly monitored his oxygen level.

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