ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. ordered 11 district and one provincial hospitals to prepare for a possible surgein coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients after the holidays.
Since the start of December, the Provincial Health Office had been monitoring the province’s COVID-19 metrics.
“Right now, controlled naton ang number of COVID-19 cases and indi overwhelmed ang mga hospitals,” said Defensor.
But he is wary that holiday travel and gatherings could trigger a surge in infections.
“We should prepare for any eventuality sa January,” the governor said.
He instructed all district hospitals to set aside up more beds for COVID-19 patients.
All district hospitals in the province only accept suspect or probable cases. Majority of these health facilities are Level 1 hospitals.
These are the government-owned district hospitals in Iloilo province:
* Aleosan District Hospital in Barangay Bancal, Alimodian
* Barotac Viejo District Hospital in Barangay San Lucas, Barotac Viejo
* Dr. Ricardo S. Provido Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Dalid, Calinog
* Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital on Alfelor Street, Passi City
* Dr. Ricardo Y. Ladrido Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Poblacion, Ilawod, Lambunao
* Ramon D. Duremdes District Hospital in Barangay Ilaya 1st, Dumangas
* Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay
* Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Barangay Rumbang, Pototan
* Jesus M. Colmenares Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Tingui-an, Balasan
* Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Pungtod, Cabatuan
* Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial District Hospital on Garriel Street, Guimbal
* Sara District Hospital in Barangay Anoring, Sara
“Nagapangayo kita sang pag-intindi sa mga kasimanwa naton nga sustineron ang pagpanghugot kag para indi mapuno ang hospital ta sa Enero. Nagapangayo kita sang gamay lang nga pag-intindi, paumod kag sakripisyo sa tanan,” said the governor.
Defensor recently issued Executive Order No. 183-G, Series of 2020 implementing additional community quarantine measures on the movement of persons, minimum public health standards in establishments, industries and livelihood sectors, and public event and gatherings.
Here are the salient points:
* visiting or house-to-house Christmas caroling shall not be allowed during the Christmas season
* government/private offices, establishments and organizations are enjoined from holding Christmas and New Year parties
* family Christmas and New Year gatherings in the household are encouraged provided that such gatherings shall only include immediate members of the family and members of the household
* community fireworks display shall not be allowed
* fireworks/pyrotechnics legally allowed and regulated under Republic Act No. 718319 shall be permitted in family Christmas and New Year gatherings
* Christmas lights festivals shall not be allowed
* the deceased/urn (in case of cremation, and only in so far as applicable) shall be buried/interred not later that five days from arrival of the casket/urn at the venue of the wake. The wake may be extended, with the permission of the mayor
* restaurants, food chains and food stalls, dine-in tables shall be divided by a barrier made of impermeable and transparent material
As of Dec. 12, the province had a total of 2,826 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Of the total, 232 were active, 2,505 recovered and 89 died./PN