THE Department of Health (DOH)-Northern Mindanao has intensified its preparation for a possible positive case of 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) in the region.
DOH-Northern Mindanao Director Andriano Suba-an said all DOH hospitals are mandated to prepare isolation areas in the event of a confirmed positive case of nCoV.
JR Borja General Hospital has arranged rooms to be isolation rooms, while the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) has dedicated 12 rooms for admission and prepared ICU beds to be used in case if there is a surge of cases of nCoV.
"We have asked our government hospitals, lalo na yung levels 2 and 3, including the private hospitals, kung pila kabuok ang ilang pwede i-accommodate in case kung managhan ang atong kaso. But again, wala pa man tay positive here in Northern Mindanao, but we are preparing what we should be preparing, working for the worse scenario in case mahitabo sa atoa," Suba-an said.
Apart from the JR Borja General Hospital and NMMC, Suba-an said the provincial hospital in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon has also prepared ICU beds and designated one wing of the hospital for patients with suspected nCoV.
The Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center, another DOH hospital located in Misamis Occidental, has been personally oriented and instructed by Suba-an on the preparations for the eventuality of an nCoV positive patient.
Suba-an also coordinated with the Bureau of Quarantine and other stakeholders in Misamis Occidental.
The DOH regional director said the Camiguin General Hospital is also monitoring for persons with suspected nCoV as there are several Chinese tourists in the province.
"The whole health sector has been mobilized," Suba-an said.
As of Thursday afternoon, the number of persons under investigation (PUIs) in the region is now at six; one was discharged after testing negative of the new virus.
There are 133 PUIs across the country with three confirmed cases, the DOH said.