DAVAO City’s Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) assured that the city already laid out a contingency plan should the new virus from China enter the city.

Speaking during Wednesday’s AFP-PNP press forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, PSSCC head Angel Sumagaysay said two weeks ago, they had a meeting with the concerned agencies to create measures to prevent the entry of an infected person of the mysterious disease.

These agencies include the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap), Department of Health (DOH), Davao City Health Office (CHO), and representatives from the management of different airline companies.

“Naglatag ng contingency plan ang CAAP para sa mysterious disease -- ‘yong coronavirus na nakita sa China. Ang gina-worry nato may direct flight tayo from Hong Kong to Davao that’s why naglatag tayo ng contingency plan (We have laid out a contingency plan with CAAP to prevent the entry of the coronavirus that was discovered in China. What worries us is the direct flight between Davao City and Hong Kong),” Sumagaysay said.

Following the case of a five-year-old boy who traveled to Cebu from Wuhan, China tested positive for coronavirus after manifesting fever, throat irritation and cough, Sumagaysay said another round of meeting took place Wednesday afternoon together with concerned agencies.

Strict monitoring at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (Davao Airport) has been implemented to detect infected individuals through the thermal scanner.

There are also protocols to be followed if an individual exhibited signs and symptoms even if the person is still in the aircraft.

For instance, they will immediately isolate the infected person right after landing at the airport. An ambulance is already on standby intended for the particular case with glass separator to rush the patient to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). It is equipped with Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) from CHO to protect the responders from acquiring the fatal virus.

“We are addressing it kumbaga ready naman ang Davao City but of course headed by CAAP and by (Bureau of) Quarantine,” Sumagaysay said.

Aside from the airport, they are also alerting the seaports and the three fixed checkpoints in Davao City. (JCR)