The Davao City Health Office (CHO) reiterated calls for public to cooperate in the universal health advisories and to volunteer for a self-quarantine if exposed in areas experiencing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) transmission.
Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, the chief of the CHO, emphasized public discipline to contain the spread of the virus.
“We wanted to contain because Covid is highly contagious that’s why we wanted the people to self-quarantine, discipline themselves, obey, follow the universal precaution,” she said on Thursday’s I-Speak Forum.
Villafuerte cited some of the proactive measures for the public to observe such as covering mouth with the bend of your shoulder, handkerchief or tissue when coughing, and not to leave/throw used tissues anywhere.
She also advised on social distancing by practicing a safe 2-meter distance from anyone. Kissing, shaking hands, high five, or any skin to skin interaction must be avoided.
“No offenses because it’s necessary for the situation,” Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte further warned the public against attending mass gatherings. There may be no one showing symptoms of the virus in a gathering per se, but if someone is exposed to the virus in some way, it can still be a risk, and still be infectious, she said.
This is the reason why mass gatherings are prohibited, for the time being, Villafuerte added.
According to Villafuerte, those who came from abroad will automatically be considered Person Under Investigation (PUI) if they show symptoms of the virus and considered Person Under Monitoring (PUM) if without symptoms.
“Pag uwi mo, automatic ka, pag wala kang ubo, PUM ka. Fourteen days ka mag self-quarantine, but come to think of it, it’s 14 days and within the 14 days if you develop the signs and symptoms, anong [mangyayari] sa pamilya mo? (When you fly back home you are automatically considered a PUM if you’re not sick. You will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. It’s 14 days, and within 14 days if you develop the signs and symptoms, what will happen to your family?) The whole family becomes the PUM and if they become PUI, there’s a lot of neighbors outside. You’re not just affecting yourself but infecting others also,” Villafuerte stressed.
On alcohol shortage, Villafuerte said the washing of hands with soap and water is still the best way to disinfect. “Alcohol will only stay for 24 hours on the skin,” she added.
Villafuerte also requested the members of the press to help heighten information dissemination regarding the virus and its preventive measures for everyone’s safety. CIO
