QC presses vigilance against coronavirus
Published Jan 28, 2020 12:00 am
By Chito Chavez
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Tuesday asked the public to take all precautionary measures and report suspected novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV for early detection as the disease had struck fear worldwide.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte
(MAYOR JOY BELMONTE FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) However, Belmonte emphasized that at present there are no reports of any confirmed Coronavirus case in the country but cited the importance of not being complacent to prevent the possibility of being infected by the ailment. As a precautionary measure against the Coronavirus, the Quezon City government has encouraged local hospitals to intensify surveillance and support efforts on reporting possible cases for early detection. Belmonte also urged the public to call Hotline 122 to get more information about the disease that has killed 81 people in China as of yesterday and has spread to several countries, including Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. Dr. Rolando Cruz, head of the city’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, encouraged local residents to practice proper hygiene as it could help them stay healthy. He advised residents to wash their hands often with soap and water, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands and use hand sanitizer as much as possible. Cruz also asked local residents to wear masks if they have symptoms of respiratory illnesses like cough or colds and “stay at home if there are no pressing engagements outside’’. “They should also cover their mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands thereafter,” Cruz said. “Local residents should seek immediate medical attention if they have flu-like symptoms, especially those who have history of travel in China in the last 14 days,’’ he added. Cruz emphasized that “it is important to declare travel history to the health care worker’’. On Friday, Cruz met with some of the officials of the city’s hospitals to remind them to prepare for the possibility of any 2019 n-Cov infection and to review the protocol implemented for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the past. The city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) has two ambulances with isolation covers and around 8,000 N95 masks ready for use if the need arises. Belmonte noted the city government is also closely coordinating with the Department of Health to provide it with protective gear if necessary.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte(MAYOR JOY BELMONTE FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) However, Belmonte emphasized that at present there are no reports of any confirmed Coronavirus case in the country but cited the importance of not being complacent to prevent the possibility of being infected by the ailment. As a precautionary measure against the Coronavirus, the Quezon City government has encouraged local hospitals to intensify surveillance and support efforts on reporting possible cases for early detection. Belmonte also urged the public to call Hotline 122 to get more information about the disease that has killed 81 people in China as of yesterday and has spread to several countries, including Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. Dr. Rolando Cruz, head of the city’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, encouraged local residents to practice proper hygiene as it could help them stay healthy. He advised residents to wash their hands often with soap and water, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands and use hand sanitizer as much as possible. Cruz also asked local residents to wear masks if they have symptoms of respiratory illnesses like cough or colds and “stay at home if there are no pressing engagements outside’’. “They should also cover their mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands thereafter,” Cruz said. “Local residents should seek immediate medical attention if they have flu-like symptoms, especially those who have history of travel in China in the last 14 days,’’ he added. Cruz emphasized that “it is important to declare travel history to the health care worker’’. On Friday, Cruz met with some of the officials of the city’s hospitals to remind them to prepare for the possibility of any 2019 n-Cov infection and to review the protocol implemented for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the past. The city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) has two ambulances with isolation covers and around 8,000 N95 masks ready for use if the need arises. Belmonte noted the city government is also closely coordinating with the Department of Health to provide it with protective gear if necessary.