The Provincial Health Office (PHO) said that they are “preparing” if in case there will be an adjustment or any changes after the implementation of the extended Luzon-wide Expanded Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) on April 30.
PHO Mary Ann Navarro recently stated that even the Provincial Government of Palawan is not yet a hundred percent ready for any development after the lockdown, but she assured the people that they are working on it.
“We are preparing. So, hindi po natin siguro pwede masabing prepared na tayo one hundred percent pero we are preparing. Kaya dapat ang recommendation natin sa IATF ay base sa data,” Navarro said during the previous online press briefing of PIO-Palawan last week.
Last April 16, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated that a total lockdown scenario is “possible” amidst the rising cases of COVID-19 and a number of Filipinos violating the ECQ measure but DILG Sec. Eduardo Año, through Philippine News Agency (PNA), said yesterday, April 20, that the next actions of the national government will be known after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) submits its recommendation to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD) on April 25 and reiterated that telling to extend or lift the ECQ as of the moment is “too early.”
BASES FOR RECOMMENDATION
Meanwhile, Dr. Navarro added that since April 14, they are already conducting targeted tests in some municipalities.
“Yung mga PUI with mild symptoms, na naka-quarantine lang sa bahay, nag-undergo po sila ng swab testing and then, ‘yung mga nasa household nila ay nag-undergo ng rapid anti-body test. Tapos, base sa data na lalabas, pwede tayong mag-recommend,” she said.
The chief of the provincial health department added that the classification of a barangay may be a basis if ever the ECQ will be modified.
“May high risk, medium risk at low risks na barangays and municipalities, base po siguro dun kung imo-modify ang ECQ o mali-lift po ‘yung ECQ by barangay, by municipality or by zone kasi po, ina-identify din po natin, mina-map din po natin, saan po ba ang mga PUIs galing? ‘Yung pinakamaraming PUI, sana ‘yung mga high risks areas katulad sa south and north? At nagsisimula na rin po ng contact tracing,” Navarro further said.
Dr. Navarro likewise added that even the ECQ will be lifted as planned but if the COVID-19 cases in the nearby provinces are still high, the Palaweños should still obey the health measures, for instance by wearing a mask when going outside and observing the physical distancing, among others.
“Importanteng may handwashing area [rin] para halimbawang may makalusot sa Palawan di tayo basta makahawa,” the Provincial Health Officer said.
She reminds everyone to take their health status seriously and consult a doctor immediate if they are experiencing cough or sore throat.
When asked if there will be a mass testing, Dr. Navarro explained that according to DOH, only “prioritized or targeted testing” will be conducted due to budget constraint.
“Ika-classify po ang mga munisipyo or barangay kung low, medium or high risks sila tapos depende po doon sa computation kung ilan ang ite-test sa area,” she added.
PREPARING THE PALAWAN’S COVID-19 TESTING CENTER, ISOLATION AREAS
Navarro also shared that the LGU is now starting the construction of a COVID-19 testing center for the province.
“So, na-approve na po ‘yung floorplan. Mag-i-start na po ‘yung construction at naka-PR na rin po ‘yung mga equipment natin, pati ‘yung machine.”
The PHO head further said that they are now assessing the “functionality” of the isolation areas that akin to a halfway house or a transition area to be the temporary shelter for PUIs who are waiting for their result from RITM so that they will not mix with their families or the general public while they are not yet declared cleared from COVID-19.
“And then, tsine-check na rin natin ang functionality ng naka-assign na quarantine at isolation areas kasi kung may selective tayo ng ECQ, kailangang may paglalagyan tayo, once na may maa-identify [na COVID-19 cases], may paglalagyan tayo,” she further said.
She also extended her appreciation and commendation to the Provincial Government of Palawan and the City Government of Puerto Princesa for immediately and timely actions of imposing a travel ban and other measures.
“Nakatulong po ‘yung March 15 na last flight natin na puro flights na lang po palabras. Isang malaking factor na naka-protect sa Palawan ay ‘yung hindi na po tayo nagpapasok na galing ng labas ng Palawan,” she said.
In the so-called success of the province in their war against the SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, Dr. Navarro also commended the leadership of the local government of San Vicente because according to her, before the Australian national became a COVID-19 positive person, they already conducted contact tracings and other necessary steps. She likewise commended the LGU El Nido and the other municipalities in observing the correct “referral” system on PUIs that were screened by the MHO frontliners because through the said measure, those people were separated safely from the general population for health reasons.
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