“NOTHING to be alarmed, we have no case of a new Chinese coronavirus in Bacolod City.”

This was stressed by Ben Arnel Dela Cruz, development management officer of the Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas, and Bacolod City Health Officer Ma. Carmela Gensoli Thursday, January 23, after DOH earlier announced that it is investigating a suspected case of coronavirus in Cebu City.

Dela Cruz said there is nothing to be alarmed because there is no case of coronavirus in Bacolod City.

“But, it’s our advice that we should strengthen our surveillance not only in the airports but also in the barangay level if we have visitors from the mainland China,” he said.

Dela Cruz along with the CHO-Bacolod held a meeting with the Bureau of Quarantine on Wednesday to identify possible plans to conduct surveillance of people who are coming from Wuhan, China.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said the case involved a five-year-old Chinese boy who arrived in Cebu City from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of cases of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like virus.

Dela Cruz said that there are three reported cases in Kalibo and they are still waiting for the result of the blood tests.

“Surveillance is very important, we will conduct case investigation if those persons will be found positive on coronavirus,” he said.

Gensoli said they are now intensifying their information dissemination and she will hold a meeting with the barangay officials.

“This is just related to simple common colds, but in severe form it can cause pneumonia so let’s always practice the proper hygiene, prevention is better than cure. There’s no vaccination on it (coronavirus) because this is a new strain virus,” she said.

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals.

The viruses can make people sick, usually with a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold.

Its symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever, which can last for a couple of days.

“If you have the symptoms please seek a medical attention immediately or visit the health centers and we will do the referral if needed,” Gensoli said.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said it’s very important that there’s a preventive measures in the entry points.

“We should be taking measures to prevent this. Worldwide, this has become a big concern because the cases increased in China and the Chinese during the Chinese New Year will be getting out of their country by the hundreds of millions so [risky] if not properly checked,” he said.

Leonardia added that if it is not properly checked, there is a possibility that it will spread all over the world and this will be a big problem. (MAP)