AVOID CROWDS. A sidewalk in downtown Tacloban City. The Department of Health regional office here on Tuesday strongly urged the public to avoid crowded places and mass gatherings with the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019. (PNA photo by Gerico Sabalza)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) regional office here on Tuesday strongly urged the public to avoid crowded places and mass gatherings amid the rise of confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the country.
“With the recent proclamation of local transmission of Covid-19, the public is advised to avoid participating in and organizing events that draw a huge number of attendees in a single space,” said Minerva Molon, DOH Eastern Visayas regional director.
For activities that need to pursue and cannot be canceled, the health regional office also imposed several requirements. “Organizer should ensure the availability of handwashing area, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and standby medical assessment team,” Molon said.
Likewise, participants should not come from different places, she added.
As of Tuesday, Eastern Visayas is still free of the virus. The regional office also has not reported any admission of suspected carriers.
Meanwhile, the DOH continues to advocate the practice of self-protection measures to further minimize the risk of contracting the virus.
This includes regular handwashing with soap and water, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing 60 percent ethanol or isopropanol, social distancing or maintaining one-meter distance if suffering a respiratory infection or in contact with one, and etiquette while coughing.
The DOH also reminded social media users to avoid sharing of unverified information or “fake news” that causes public fear and panic.
“We would like to assure the public measure to contain the potential spread of Covid-19 infection are being explored, studied, and implemented to keep Eastern Visayas safe from the threats of this infectious disease,” Molon said.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday declared a state of public health emergency in the country, following the confirmed cases of local transmission of Covid-19. (PNA)
