MAKATI PROGRAMS. Aside from vaccination, like in this April 14, 2021 photo at the Makati Coliseum, the city also advocates home management for mild cases. Mayor Abby Binay said in a social media post on Monday (May 3, 2021) that the program aims to decongest hospitals and isolation facilities. (Photo courtesy of Makati-PIO)
MANILA – The Makati city government has prioritized a program aimed at ensuring proper treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients with mild symptoms and asymptomatic cases at home, Makati Mayor Abby Binay shared Monday.
The initiative magnifies the urgent need for the city government to put up additional quarantine and isolation facilities that will address increasing Covid-19 patients being treated at the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak).
"Ganito rin ang kalagayan ng iba pang ospital sa ibang panig ng Metro Manila, private man o government hospital (This is also the state of various hospitals in other areas of Metro Manila, whether private or government hospitals)," Binay posted on social media.
"Bunsod nito, binigyang-prayoridad ng lungsod ang pagbuo ng (Because of this, the city has prioritized the) Makati Covid-19 Home Care Program sa ilalim ng paggabay ng (under the guidance of the) Department of Health," she added.
Under the home care program, Makati will isolate and treat mild cases at their own homes, provided a patient has a separate bedroom, bathroom, and toilet and should not have household members belonging to vulnerable groups, such as senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, individuals with a weak immune system, and those who are pregnant.
"Kailangan din ang mag-aalaga o caregiver sa bahay ay may malakas na resistensya o pangangatawan para hindi delikadong mahawahan (The caregiver at home must also have a strong immune system so that further virus transmission can be avoided)," she added.
Caretakers are required to wear masks and use gloves at all times and observe a one-meter or more physical distance from the infected ones.
"Bibigyan namin ang bawat pasyenteng sasailalim sa programa ng (We will provide each patient undergoing the program a) home care package," Binay said.
The city's program package includes a Covid-19 Home Care Handbook, monitoring sheets, maintenance medicines for other comorbidities, and medical kits (Vitamin C with Zinc, pulse oximeter, thermometer, oral disinfectant spray, mask, and hand sanitizer or alcohol).
The handbook contains all the guidelines and protocols for proper isolation at home and notes on Covid-19 symptoms and various emergency care needed.
Patients will also have two dedicated online consultations with medical doctors.
Binay said the Department of Health policies on isolating mild cases state quarantine until 10 days from the day the symptoms come out; doctors should make sure the patients are clinically recovered within three days; and that those who have been exposed to Covid-19 patients should isolate for 14 days, starting from the day of their exposure.
Patients should request clearance from a doctor or the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.
There is no need to undergo another reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test for clearance.
Makati residents, workers, and visitors are required to wear masks and other protective gear in public places. (PNA)
