By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
All Negros Occidental provincial hospitals are currently on alert for the new coronavirus (CoV) strain. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday noted, according to the Provincial Health Office (PHO), there are currently no confirmed CoV cases at any local hospitals.
The governor explained, in the event of a confirmed CoV case, the patient will be isolated at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital in Bacolod City.
He added, the PHO already has a system in place in case such a situation arises.
Lacson encouraged individuals with prolonged symptoms of the virus, which can include fever and indicators of lower respiratory illness, to immediately consult their nearest rural health clinic.
At least 17 people have died from the virus in China, along with more than 550 cases being reported globally.
CoV is described as a large family of viruses with some causing less-severe disease, such as the common cold, and others more severe disease, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS; and severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS./DGB, WDJ