The Department of Health (DoH) reminded local government units to have safety officers in their evacuation centers in order to monitor the condition of evacuees and their compliance with health protocols amid the threat of typhoon "Rolly."
DoH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that having a safety officer in evacuation sites will help in minimizing the risk of having COVID-19 in such temporary shelters.
“Kailangan ang safety officer made-detect kung sino ang magka-kasintomas para mae-extract nila agad doon sa evacuation sites (The safety officer must be able to detect those who are having (flu-like) symptoms so that they can extract them immediately at the evacuation sites),” said Vergeire.
“Ang sinasabi nga natin sa local government kung talagang hindi maiiwasan 'yung pagkamaramihan ng tao sa isang lugar dahil walang ibang facility na pagdadalan, we must be very vigilant na kailangan bantayan po nila. Magkaroon po tayo ng safety officer na palagiang maghighikayat at mag a-advise sa komunidad na nasa loob ng evacuation center na kailangan laging naka-mask, kailangan laging naghuhugas ng kamay (Let us have a safety officer who will always encourage and advise the group of people inside the evacuation centers that they must always wear masks and wash their hands often),” she added.
Aside from safety officers, the LGUs must also ensure that there are handwashing stations or alcohols being provided to evacuees.
The DoH also advised the public to still observe other health protocols. “Takpan ang bibig at ilong kapag uubo o babahing. Itapon ng mabuti ang ginamit na tissue at mask. Iwasan ang paghawak sa bibig, ilong, at mata (Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Dispose properly your used tissue and mask. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes),” it reminded.
Evacuees were also advised to inform the safety officers in their evacuation sites if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
“Nagpapa-alala po tayo sa ating mga kababayan….Sana po maging vigilant tayo, maging aware, maging cautious. Alam po natin ang mga risk na dulot ng mga pagsasama-sama ng tao. Sa mga sari-sarili po natin, individual persons tayo po ay magkaroon na ng responsibilidad para gawin ang mga minimum public health standards (We are reminding our citizens…. Please be vigilant, aware, and cautious. We know the risk of having a group of people (in a certain area). Among us, as individual persons, we have the responsibility to adhere to the minimum public health standards),” said Vergeire.
The Health department advised the public to not wade in floodwaters or to wear protection when walking in flooded streets to avoid leptospirosis.
“We just want to remind everyone to protect themselves by making sure that you don’t wade in floodwaters, lalo na kung may sugat kayo sa paa,” said DoH Health Promotion and Communication Service Director Dr. Beverly Ho.
“If ever that happens, please make sure that you reach out to your healthcare providers so that you might be provided with the necessary post-exposure prophylaxis kung kinakailangan to avoid leptospirosis,” she added.
"Leptospirosis is an infection commonly “transmitted to humans from water that has been contaminated by animal urine (usually rats), and comes in contact with lesion in the skin, eyes, or with the mucous membranes,” the DoH said.
Some of its symptoms are fever, muscle pain, headache, and reddish eyes, the DoH said.
Ho reminded the public to ensure that their food and drinking water are clean.
“During this rainy season, we have to make sure that our water and food are always clean. Boil properly for three minutes for our water; and for our food, cook and washed it properly,” said the Health official.