CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – “Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital (JBLMRH) is prepared in case novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) reaches the province.”
Thus said by Medical Center Chief II Dr. Monserrat S. Chichioco during the Novel (New) Corona Virus Preparedness Orientation held at JBLMRH, a government hospital in the region III, last Thursday, January 23.
According to Dr. Chichioco, JBLMRH has medical personnel who underwent trainings in preparation for any virus outbreaks.
“They are not just the emergency medical team, they are Chemical, Biological, Nuclear, Radiologic (CBRN) trained personnel,” Dr. Chichioco said.
She also mentioned that they are still bound to train more staff to create a workforce that can efficiently handle patients who exhibit flu-like symptoms.
REFERRAL SYSTEM
Individuals who are suspected to have 2019-nCoV will be referred by their respective municipal health officers to JBLMRH to be further observed in the isolation area or well-ventilated single room.
They will be transferred to JBLMRH via ambulance with trained CBRN personnel wearing complete PPE, such as N95 mask, fluid resistant gown, goggles, and gloves.
SAFETY MEASURES
When asked if they have personnel deployed at the Clark International Airport (CIA), Dr. Chichioco said that “They have this fever detector. Once a fever is detected from an arriving passenger, the quarantine personnel will hold that person for further examination.”
She also added that Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) personnel were trained on how to handle suspected patients.
CIA is one of the passageways of people coming into the province from areas with confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV.
Aside from this, Dr. Walter Rivera, pediatrician and medical specialist, advised the public to practice good health and proper hygiene to reduce their risk of infection.
“Sa public, h’wag po tayong magpa-panic. As of now, wala pa naman tayong confirmed cases ng coronavirus sa Pilipinas. Kailangan lang nating pangalagaan ang kalusugan natin,” he said.
Meanwhile, the provincial government is now working in coordination with the JBLMRH to strengthen measures against the new virus.
Angelina Blanco, special assistant to the governor, assured that the provincial government of Pampanga, headed by Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, will be cooperating with JBLMRH in case there is a suspected case of coronavirus.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Mar Jaochico, Dr. Joy Aiza Sombillo, Anna Rose Mariano, RMT, and other health officers in the region were also present during the orientation.
2019-nCoV is a temporary name for the new virus that originated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. It is a coronavirus, which is a family of viruses, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
As of January 23 this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded a total of 581 confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV: 574 in China, 4 in Thailand, 1 in Japan, 1 in the Republic of Korea, and 1 in the United States of America. —JASMINE D. JASO