In the light of concerns raised about by the novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian recently convened the Valenzuela City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (VCDRRMO).
Mayor REX began the session with a reminder that the meeting is not intended to cause any alarm, but to help all the members to be fully aware of the “true” facts about the virus that has recently been causing worldwide pandemic apprehensions, with the main objective of saving lives and minimizing adverse consequences.
Valenzuela City Health Office (CHO) Head, Dr. Jaime Exconde presented the city’s interim guidelines on the preparedness & response to nCoV which is based on the current data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH).
Emphasis was given to the “Modified Decision Tool for nCoV Assessment”, which are: fever, cough and/or colds, travel history to Wuhan, China within 14 days prior to onset of symptoms, and history of exposure to confirmed cases and places with confirmed cases of infection.
Acting on the potential worst-case scenario that the illness has already reached Valenzuela City, reporting system was laid out. Any suspected case in the community must be reported to the Barangay Health Station (BHS), which shall report it to the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) of the CHO.
The CHO will then quickly refer the suspected case or person under investigation (PUI) to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the DOH that certifies patients for care and observation at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the San Lazaro Hospital, which are the only facilities with experts in handling infectious and communicable diseases.
Barangays are reminded not to touch any suspected case in their respective communities but to report such to the CESU so that it can be handled properly. This is to prevent the circulation of the virus should the suspected case be confirmed.
To further assure safety, Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) chief Dr. Maria Estrella B. Litam, an epidemiology expert, was tasked to conduct a briefing with CESU and Valenzuela City Rescue Unit personnel, together with barangay officials, tomorrow, January 31, on proper handling protocols.
Furthermore, the City will dedicate two ambulances for the purpose of responding to reported suspected cases. Goggles and N95 masks have already been stocked up since the Taal eruption. These can come handy should stricter precautions against the virus is necessary.
Immediate purchase of thermal guns is also underway for quicker body temperature measurement. The isolation room of the Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital (VCEH) and the VMC are also prepared to take in patients in this instance.
A meeting with public and private hospitals, public and private schools and universities in the city will also be called immediately to strengthen disease monitoring system and to assess their vulnerability to the spread of the nCoV virus.
The City Health Office appeals to the constituents to submit themselves for medical checkup should they feel any of the symptoms of the nCoV so that proper diagnosis can be made, and appropriate medical procedure can be administered.
Mayor Rex reminds the constituents not to spread fake and unverified news so as not to create panic among the constituents.
It was emphasized that contrary to what has been spreading from unofficial sources, nCoV virus is not airborne (able to survive or stay suspended in the air for hours or travel more than a few feet).
It can be transmitted only via direct contact with oral secretion from infected patient through coughing or sneezing, or indirect contact with nCoV virus droplets when one touched on nearby surfaces, such as handrails, knobs, or smart phones, where an infected patient has coughed or sneezed on.
Dr. Litam said the best methods to prevent the spread of the virus, and to protect ourselves and our loved ones from contagion, is to practice proper hand washing – washing with disinfectant soap with scrubbing for at least 20 seconds – and to exercise “coughing etiquette” which is covering one’s mouth while in the urge to do so. This practice can also prevent the spread of other diseases like the common flu.
On a vital related issue, an Executive Order shall be issued to prevent illegal shoot up of prices of masks in the city with Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer Ophie Osea on top of monitoring. To report and seek help for suspected cases in the community, people may call the Valenzuela City nCoV Hotline at 8352-5000.