AS SCHOOLS across Western Visayas reopen their doors, the lingering presence of COVID-19, along with other seasonal diseases, presents a renewed challenge to public health. This requires a robust response, not just from health authorities and educational institutions, but from every member of the community.
The Department of Health in Region 6 has aptly highlighted the elevated risk of disease transmission with the resumption of in-person classes. While the region enjoys a low-risk status and most COVID-19 cases are mild or asymptomatic, the potential for a surge remains if preventive measures slacken. The importance of a “shared responsibility” model in managing public health thus becomes ever more important.
Shared responsibility means that every stakeholder — students, parents, teachers, and school administrators — must conscientiously adhere to health protocols. These include the basics: hand washing, wearing masks in crowded settings, and staying home when sick. Yet, beyond individual actions, institutions play a big role. Schools, for instance, must ensure that facilities for handwashing and sanitization are readily accessible and that the spaces are conducive to minimizing disease spread. This includes regular cleaning of surfaces and maintaining adequate ventilation which are vital in preventing airborne illnesses.
While the direct threat of COVID-19 may have diminished, its capacity to disrupt remains potent. This is particularly true in educational settings where children and young adults gather in large numbers, providing a potential hotspot for transmission not just of COVID-19 but of influenza, leptospirosis, and dengue — collectively referred to as WILD diseases during the rainy season.
Moreover, vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions depend on the wider community’s diligence to shield them from exposure. This interdependence underscores the necessity for collective action in health management.
Data from DOH-6, indicating a mix of mild to critical cases across various age groups, should serve as a baseline for tailored public health responses. While the healthcare utilization rate remains low, complacency could quickly tip the scales, leading to increased hospitalizations and, potentially, a strain on health resources.
The Western Visayas experience at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that successful management of public health crises hinges not just on government action but on community engagement. Each segment of the population holds a piece of the puzzle in controlling the spread of diseases. As such, local government units need to continuously promote and support public health education, ensuring that every individual understands their role in the collective health framework.
