DOH reminds evacuees to observe protocols amid Omicron threat

MANILA – A health official on Monday reminded victims of Typhoon Odette staying in evacuation centers to observe minimum public health standards (MPHS) amid threats posed by the Omicron variant in the country.

“Wear your face mask properly, observe physical distancing of at least one meter from people who are not members of your household, observe coughing and sneezing etiquette, frequent handwashing or sanitizing and ensuring enough air circulation inside the evacuation centers,” Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during an online media forum.

Vergeire also called on local government units (LGUs) to appoint safety officers inside evacuation centers and provide a separate area for the vulnerable population – senior citizens and individuals with comorbidities, people with Covid-19 symptoms, and other diseases.

“The DOH also warns of water-borne diseases, food-borne diseases influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis and dengue. We can avoid this by promoting access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and ensure water resources are safe for drinking and cooking para makaiwas tayo sa cholera, typhoid fever, amoebiasis, hepatitis at iba pang sakit na dinudulot ng maruming tubig (to avoid cholera, typhoid fever, amoebiasis, hepatitis and other diseases caused by unclean water),” she added.

As of Dec. 19, the DOH has prepositioned a total of PHP11.8 million worth of drugs, medical supplies, including personal protective equipment and Covid-19 supplies to provinces affected by “Odette”.

A total PHP66.6 million worth of commodities are also available at the DOH Central Warehouse and a total PHP272.45 million worth of commodities in the DOH Centers of Health Development (CHD) are ready for deployment.

The DOH-CHDs have also employed human resources for health and health cluster members to assist in surveillance, rapid health assessment and provide support to the ongoing disaster risk response.

To date, the DOH recorded seven damaged health facilities in Caraga and Region 7 with estimated cost damage of PHP8.3 million.

“These are three barangay health stations in Caraga, Madrid district hospital in Surigao del Sur, Siargao district hospital in Surigao del Norte, the Provincial DOH in Surigao del Norte and the CHDs in the Region 7 compound,” Vergeire said.

In the virtual media forum, Vergeire said the country’s third case of the Omicron variant has been from a 36-year-old returning overseas Filipino (ROF) who arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport from Qatar on November 28.

A sample was collected from him on December 4 which yielded a positive result on December 5.

“The case completed his isolation in Cebu before traveling back to Cavite, his hometown, where he immediately self quarantined upon arrival. The case is currently finishing his home quarantine in Cavite and has remained asymptomatic since his arrival,” Vergeire said.