BACOLOD City – The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) – Negros Chapter is appealing to citizens of this city and the province of Negros Occidental to strictly observe health protocols.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases here and in the province were rising exponentially.
In a statement, the PCP advised the public to apply the “APAT” strategy:
* A – Air circulation and ventilation
* P – Physical distancing of one meter or more
* A – Always use facemask and face shield
* T – Time of interaction (if needed) must be less than 30 minutes
“We need you to cooperate and follow the rules to stop the spread of this deadly virus. The war is still far from over,” the PCP statement read.
The group urged people to avoid social gatherings even if held outdoors.
They recommended those who feel sick even before testing to go into voluntary isolation.
“Limit movement to essential errands/activities only. We witness the suffering of COVID-19 patients every day. We see how patients and their families are crushed by the socioeconomic impact of this pandemic,” the PCP said.
It added: “This the best time that we should fight this battle against COVID-19 as citizens, for the future and safety of our own families.”
Dr. Ericka Villanueva Caperonce, infectious disease specialist, said one of the test laboratories in this city recorded a 35 percent COVID positivity rate for every one hundred subjects tested, far from the four percent positivity rate logged in January./PN
