OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental(PIA) — To ensure that right information about 2019 Novel CoronaVirus reaches the grassroots, Misamis Occidental Provincial Governor Philip Tan together with the Department of Health (DOH) Region 10 conducted an information drive to different provincial, city and municipal government agencies in the province.
Dr. David Mendoza, DOH 10 assistant regional director, said there is no existing case of novel coronavirus detected in the region. This, after the spread of false information over social media of the presence of COVID-19 patient in the province
“While region 10 is free of the virus, we still need to be vigilant,” Dr. Mendoza added.
Dr. Mendoza reiterated tips to avoid the risk of coronavirus infection. These include proper handwashing, covering of nose and mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs, avoiding crowded areas, getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids, eating a balanced diet and avoiding smoking.
Further, he clarified, coronavirus is transmitted by contact with an infected person and not through the air one breaths.
The info drive centered on the situation and statistics of the virus and possible interventions to guard possible entry points of people who might have acquired the virus as well as other areas of preparedness activities to include the deployment of teams of technical personnel to monitor and focus on screening passengers in all possible points of entry in the region.
Meanwhile, Governor Tan through the Provincial Health Office has already alerted all city and municipal health officers to conduct precautionary measures and information drive to prevent the possible spread of the disease.
Tan urged the public not to spread false and unverified information about COVID-19 especially information that confirmed cases are being kept under wraps in some hospitals in the country.
“The national government is doing their best to contain the virus and we at the local level are in close coordination with the national agencies to keep our citizens safe from this rare virus,” Tan stressed.
Tan has earlier activated the Incident Command System of LGU’s, Barangay Health Emergency Reaction Teams (BERT) to monitor and report residents who are suspected to be possible carriers of the virus.
Tan added that no single case has been detected with coronavirus in the province to date.
“Nothing to worry in MisOcc,” Tan assured, as he appealed to the public to help prevent the spread of the virus through cleanliness and personal hygiene.
“If you know of any resident here in Misamis Occidental who has been to China or any country with confirmed coronavirus patients, please inform us to have that person checked by medical experts for everyone’s safety,” he said. (SMRN/PIA MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL)
