Google map of Misamis Oriental.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The provincial government of Misamis Oriental has authorized Monday (February 3) the use of emergency funds for the purchase of thermo scanners amid the growing concerns for the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV).
Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano said the scanners will be installed in the domestic airport in Laguindingan town, the Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT) port in Tagoloan town, and the port of Cagayan de Oro.
The provincial government, however, did not provide immediate figures for the purchase.
Emano said the thermo scanners will be used to monitor incoming passengers and crews of all vessels docking at the MICT in Misamis Oriental.
He said the scanning equipment are expected to be turned over anytime this week to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) that manages Laguindingan airport, and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) that operates the port of Cagayan de Oro and supervises the MICT.
Preventive measures
Meanwhile, Misamis Oriental Provincial health officer Jerie Calingsan said he has ordered the activation of barangay emergency response teams on each of the 424 villages in the province to help monitor the presence of transients in their respective villages--especially foreigners who recently came from nCoV-affected countries.
Calingasan said all transients who recently arrived from abroad since the last week of December must submit themselves to self-quarantine within 14 days, the incubation period of the dreaded novel coronavirus.
In Cagayan de Oro City, health officer Lorraine Nery reported that the City Health Office (CHO) has already determined that no Chinese national had died at Alwana Park compound in Barangay Cugman last week, contrary to rumors that had spread on social media.
“The report of the Chinese national who allegedly died due to nCoV is considered hearsay as no one surfaced to prove that it actually occurred,” Nery said.
Nery assured the public that CHO will continue to monitor and validate any report concerning nCoV. (PNA)
