SAN JOSE, Antique – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could spread in evacuation centers. How could this be avoided?
During disasters such as typhoons when evacuations are inevitable, there are practical steps Rural Health Units can do, according to the Antique Provincial Health Office (PHO).
“Amo dya ang pag-obserba naton kang mga minimum health protocols,” said Irene Duldoco, health education and promotion officer of the PHO.
These minimum health protocols are the wearing of facemask and face shield, observing physical distancing, and washing of hands with soap and water or disinfectant.
“Mas nami gid if ipang-screen danay naton ang aton mga evacuees antis magsulod sa evacuation centers,” said Mark Joseph Rojas, the PHO health emergency management point person.
“I-screen ang mga nagahilanat, ubo, may rashes, may pilas, nagasuka kag mga nagasakit ang tiyan. Or mas nami gid if makita kang doctor,” said he added.
APHO also advised local government units to separate COVID-19 high-risk individuals in evacuation enters like the senior citizens, children, pregnant women and immune-compromised individual.
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets also land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
Most people (about 80 percent) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness, according to the World Health Organization./PN
