The Negros Occidental provincial government initiated preparations to combat the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV) with the Provincial Infectious Disease Action and Control Council, led by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, convening yesterday. During the meeting, the governor issued an executive order activating the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team and creating an nCoV task force in order to monitor the entry of individuals from China and other areas affected by the virus.
While there are currently three confirmed patients under investigation for nCoV in the province, there are also foreign nationals in Talisay City considered “persons under monitoring,” who are recommended to stay home and self-quarantine for 40 days. According to Talisay City health officer, Dr. Gladys Guanzon, “They have traveled outside the country but do not have flu-like symptoms.”
Meanwhile, assistant provincial health officer, Dr. Jessica Pama, said district hospitals in Valladolid, Cadiz City, Kabankalan City, Silay City, and San Carlos City are being considered as facilities to quarantine patients under investigation.
Additionally, the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council has been directed to allocate ambulances, two in the north and two in the south, in order to transport patients under investigation for nCoV./DGB, WDJ