Impose safety protocols in evacuation sites, DOH tells LGUs

In a Laging Handa public briefing on Saturday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said LGUs should assign a safety officer who would constantly monitor the evacuees to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). (PIA file photo)

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) reminded local government units (LGUs) to strictly impose health protocols in evacuation centers in areas along the path of Typhoon “Rolly”.

In a Laging Handa public briefing on Saturday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said LGUs should assign a safety officer who would constantly monitor the evacuees to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Para nakikita natin kung me nagkakaron ng sintomas, nakikita natin kung merong kailangan tanggalin at ilagay sa ibang facility para hindi magkaron ng paghahawa-hawa (This is to check if there are those who develop symptoms and need to be isolated in another facility to avoid infection), Vergeire said.

The safety officer should also remind everyone in the evacuation center to wear a face mask, frequently wash their hands, and observe physical distancing.

She said they have already advised LGUs to set up evacuation sites capable of abiding by the minimum public health standards, with handwashing stations and alcohol supply.

This early, Vergeire said, the DOH is expecting that some LGUs may not have enough evacuation centers and facilities and that they would be crowded.

She reminded the people that the Covid-19 virus is transmitted through droplets, which is why safety protocols must be strictly followed.

If crowding cannot be avoided, Vergeire advised the LGU to be vigilant and strictly monitor the sites.

DOH preps for “Rolly”

Meanwhile, she reported that the DOH has transferred those in tented quarantine facilities to more secure patient care centers and kept some equipment in hospitals.

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine has announced a temporary shutdown of their laboratory on November 1 and 2, as well as the implementation of disaster risk mitigation measures.

Vergeire said this would not affect their data analysis but would slightly slow down the output of laboratories.

“We have to understand that with this kind of calamities, facilities and expensive equipment may be affected and destroyed. So we have to do these preventive measures and we are already announcing that this may cause a delay in laboratory output,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.