112. ISABELA PREPARES

ISABELA PREPARES

Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano
13 February 2020

Isabela prepares! The Provincial Government of Isabela headed by Governor Rodolfo “Rodito” T. Albano III and Vice Governor Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, who at present is the OIC Governor, spearheaded the joint meeting and public forum of the Isabela Task Force NCoV ARD (Novel Corona Virus Acute Respiratory Disease) and the Provincial Health Board this morning at the FND Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of Ilagan, Isabela. Assembled for the meeting are the members of the task force, Local Health Board, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Education (DepEd), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Local Government Units (LGUs), media practitioners and other stakeholders who participated in the action planning presented by the Isabela Provincial Health Office. The body gave their suggestions and aired clarifications on the COVID-19 (now the official name of the NCoV ARD) which is already tagged as Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The public forum was moderated by the Provincial Administrator Atty. Noel Manuel R. Lopez. The joint meeting was concluded with a Press Conference.

Executive Order No. 10-2020 was issued yesterday creating the inter-agency task force to prevent the entry of the COVID-19 in the Province of Isabela. A short history is stipulated in the executive order on how it originated and reached the Philippines. The aforementioned virus was first discovered in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China. It is a severe, potentially fatal respiratory illness that can result in pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock and multi-organ failure. On February 1, 2020, the DOH confirmed the first mortality of COVID-19 in the Philippines.

DILG issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-18 which was subsequently amended by Memorandum Circular No. 2020-23 enjoining all LGUs to effectively intensify the information, education and communication campaign on the COVID-19 and implement programs, projects and services that will promote the general welfare, public health and well-being of every Filipino.

On top of this, the President issued a statement temporary banning Filipinos from travelling to China, Hong Kong and Macau and most recently including Taiwan.

This is not the first time Filipinos are exposed to infectious diseases. Marge Friginal-Sanchez posted in the net the “Infectious Diseases in the Philippines: A Handy Guide. In Sanchez’ post, she mentioned Dr. Johnny Sinon, Medical Director of Makati Medical Center who enumerated the following diseases which thrived in the Philippines: dengue, chikungunya, tuberculosis, leptospirosis, malaria, MERS-CoV, zika, and avian influenza A (H7N9). Though half on the list has no known specific treatment yet, Filipinos were able to overcome these challenges.

In the past, the territory of what is now the Province of Isabela was also plagued with natural disasters and endemics. In 1631, a locust infestation ravaged the entire valley. In 1678, smallpox broke out in old Bolo prompting the natives to transfer the site of the pueblo to what is now the present poblasyon. In 1758, a cholera epidemic broke out killing 500 in Cabagan and 800 in Tuguegarao. Typhoons and earthquakes were also recorded by the Dominican missionaries.

The Isabela Provincial Information Office continues to inform the public, through its Facebook account, measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection: clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-base hand rub; cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or flexed elbow; thoroughly cook meat and eggs; and avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animals.

To protect yourself and others from getting sick by washing your hands thoroughly after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after you prepare food; before eating; after toilet use; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or animals waste.

When washing your hands, use soap and running water especially when hands are visibly dirty. If your hands are not visibly dirty, still wash them with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand cleanser.

To protect others from getting sick, cover your mouth and nose with tissue, sleeve or elbow when coughing or sneezing; throw tissue into close bins after use; clean your hands after coughing or sneezing and when caring for the sick; and avoid unprotected contact with sick people (including touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth) and with live farm or wild animals.

If you are working in wet markets, wear protective gowns, gloves and facial protection while handling animals and animal products; remove protective clothing after work; wash daily before leaving at the work site; and avoid exposing family members to soiled work clothing and shoes.

It is also advised to practice food safety. Use different chopping boards and knives for raw meat and cooked foods; wash your hands between handling raw and cooked food; sick animals and animals that have died of diseases should not be eaten; even in areas experiencing outbreaks, meat products can be safely consumed if these items are cooked thoroughly and properly handled during food preparation.

In shopping in wet markets, wash hands with soap and water after touching animals and animal products; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick animals and spoiled meat; and avoid contact with stray animals, waste and fluids in market.

For those who are working in wet markets, frequently wash your hands with soap and water after touching animals and animal products; and disinfect equipment and working area at least once a day.

If you have fever or cough, you should seek medical care in a health facility; wear masks to prevent spreading infection; and avoid crowded places.

Remember “NCOV” before you share COVID-19 issues in social media:

N – Never share unverified news/articles

C – Check your sources before sharing

O – Only source information from DOH Official Channels

V – Verify news information at: www.doh.gov.ph/2019-nCoV

Humanity is now very much concerned on the outbreak of NCOV-19. Our world have faced numerous challenges throughout the centuries but still survived every problem, issues, calamities, catastrophes, disasters, tragedies and even world wars. With God’s unending grace, coupled with every nation’s determination to end this plague, we can overcome NCOV-19 and make the disease as another segment of our past.