DUE to suspected cases in nearby province of Kalibo, Aklan and the rising cases brought about by the novel coronavirus, the Iloilo City Government advised the public to practice health safety measures.

In an advisory released on Friday, January 24, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas encouraged regular hand washing with proper drying of the hands, good respiratory hygiene -- covering coughs and sneezes with a medical mask, arm/elbow or tissue, and disposing of tissues correctly.

Other preventive measures are avoiding close contact with sick people, avoiding spitting in public, avoiding touching one's eyes, nose or mouth and adhering to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding undercooked meats or unsafe water.

People who are feeling unwell and feverish are advised to early self-isolation especially those who are experiencing other respiratory symptoms.

The advisory told community leaders to conduct active case surveillance through their barangay health emergency teams, particularly their barangay health workers, in identifying persons who are new arrivals from countries with reported positive cases such as Wuhan and other parts of China, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Hongkong, Japan and United States.

The health officials monitoring them for early signs of illness are told to do referral to the nearest health facility.

Health facilities, main and barangay health centers are also directed to be vigilant and to report immediately all suspected cases within 24 hours on a daily basis to Department of Health-Western Visayas Center for Health Development.

The novel coronavirus is transmitted through coughing and sneezing. It is manifested from mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath which may lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and shock. (PR)