112. ISABELA PREPARES
ISABELA
PREPARES
Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano
13 February 2020
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.
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