‘Locate the Virus First’ – Cimatu

LOCATE THE VIRUS

This is the primary step towards effectively containing the spread of the COVID-19 disease, according to National Inter-Agency Task Force (NIATF) member Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.
“The key here is to locate the virus [and thus identify] where we exert all our efforts,” said Cimatu upon meeting barangay officials, members of the COVID-19 technical working group, and medical directors in Bacolod City yesterday September 1.

According to the Environment chief, barangays with high numbers of COVID-19 cases should be prioritized. This is where the role of village officials – especially barangay captains – comes in, he added.
“This is the game of the barangay captains. You were elected by your people to lead them especially during this crisis,” stressed Cimatu, who has been credited for containing the COVID-19 outbreak in Cebu City, which was once dubbed the epicenter of the virus in the country.
Cimatu’s meeting with the barangay officials and other concerned sectors was part of the Office of the President’s response to Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s appeal for augmentation in view of the increasing number of cases in Bacolod.

BRGYS. WITH HIGHEST CASES

Latest data from the City Health Office showed that the 10 barangays with the highest number of cases are: Estefania with 100; Taculing with 77; Villamonte with 65; Banago with 62; Mansilingan and Mandalagan both with 61 cases; Alijis with 55 cases; Tangub with 46 cases; Bata with 39 cases; and Garanda with 38.
In the meeting, Dr. Mary Jean Leroche, chief pathologist of DOH Central Visayas, shared the best practices that helped curb the COVID-19 outbreak in Cebu City, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between and among public and private hospitals.

Level 1 hospitals were utilized as “step down facilities” for mild cases while Level 2 and 3 hospitals accommodated moderate and critical cases.
The DOH also deployed its nurses to attend to COVID-19 allocated beds in both public and private hospitals.

Moreover, COVID-19 tracker point persons were assigned in hospitals for daily submission of data (bed capacity, patient-to-healthcare worker ratio, and number of patients) for monitoring and reporting.
Leroche also highlighted the efforts to improve the testing capacity in communities and the involvement of the private sector in the information drive.

Aside from distribution of PPEs (personal protective equipment), there was also strict implementation of border control and minimum health standards.

For his part, RIATF-Visayas deputy chief implementer Gen. Melquiades Feliciano recommended a centralized command center where all clusters of the technical working group can meet everyday to strengthen their collaboration.

“The focal person is the barangay captain,” Feliciano also said.

Present in the meeting were Councilor Lady Gles Pallen, Liga ng mga Barangay president; City Administrator Em Ang, who presided the meeting; City Health Officer Dr. Ma. Carmela Gensoli, Bacolod City Police Office director Col. Henry Biñas, Contact Tracing Operations Center head Dr. Luz Ma-apni, Dr. Grace Tan (testing) and Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan (isolation/ quarantine) of the CHO, Police Major Sherlock Gabana of BCPO, Executive Assistant Jose Marie Vargas, and Executive Assistant Dr. Emiliano Sama Jr.

Also present were Bacolod Queen of Mercy medical director Dr. John Alejano, volunteer consultant Dr. Hector Gayares, Philippine Red Cross administrator Rita Benita Mirasol, and Adventist Medical Center- Bacolod vice president for Operations Ferdinand Turbanos.* (CITY PIO)