BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is preparing for the worst case scenario.
On Friday morning, March 20, Magalong announced there are four highly probable cases with a lone death all related to Covid-19, ahead of a health department advisory.
“The people should know, they have to know so that they will follow the guidelines more. Sana matauhan ang ating taong bayan. Please stay at home, when you do that, you are probably saving a life,” Magalong said.
The lone death on Thursday, despite not being confirmed to be of Covid–19, has been administered strict protocols. No interment was allowed with the body handled by health personnel and brought straight to the local crematorium.
Personnel from two entire departments at City Hall were also ordered to go on self-quarantine starting Friday as a health precaution since one suspected case did business transactions there.
Magalong said the process of the health department takes too long to confirm positive cases and wants to be proactive in contact tracing and interviews in a bid to contain the virus and prevent further infection.
It takes eight days to confirm a Covid-19 case and contact tracing and interviews only start on the day test results turn positive, a practice Magalog wants to hasten to be pro-active in suppressing transmission of the virus.
The chief executive admitted there are several serious cases at local hospitals.
“If you ask my opinion, there is a high probability that we have positive cases now, so let us follow the guidelines, stay at home,” Magalong reiterated.
Magalong said a hotel containment center is now available for Covid–19 suspected cases as well as for mild, serious and moderate patients.
“Is that enough? We don’t know. We have four potential cases and one highly probable death. I hope this will raise awareness. Hindi pwede itago-tago natin ito, kung red flagged na sila [patients] kailangan umpisahan na natin ang contact tracing. Every hour counts,” Magalong said.
The city also has begun contact tracing for the cases to help the health department however, no barangays as of Friday are considered red zones.
Meanwhile, Lindi Hotel along Legarda Road now serves as a containment center for Covid-19 persons under investigation (PUIs) with mild symptoms.
The hotel has 34 rooms and complete lodging facilities and the city can use it for free thanks to generous owner.
Inspection of the facility gave way for preparations for installation of medical equipment, housekeeping system and other provisions needed to make it operational starting March 20.
More areas are being eyed by the city to use with an appeal sent to the owners of the former Sto. Nino Hospital to allow utilization of the area for this health emergency.
Magalong said a total lockdown for the city will not happen and measures implemented today will just have to be followed strictly.
“We are already on lockdown, let us be aggressive on this matter, if we are passive on it mas marami ma-infect na iba,” the mayor added.
Meanwhile Magalong and City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña observed March 20, the process flow employed by the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) from receiving all the way to distributing food items from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the barangay recipients as part of the Covid–19 response cluster program of the national government.
The mayor commended OCSWDO Betty Fangasan for the efficient, systematic and accountable handling of the relief goods along with the donations being received by the city from private individuals and organizations.
The mayor assured barangay officials and residents that with the system, the relief items will reach their target beneficiaries as he promised that the city will do everything to address the needs of those affected by the health crisis.
Barangay officials are in charge of identifying beneficiaries considered as vulnerable households like displaced workers and members of the 4Ps.
The list subject to validation by the OCSWDO is not fixed as more recipients can be added from time to time if the situation requires.
The first two operations were done this week targeting 20,000 vulnerable households out of the 92,000 total in the city.
The food packs contain P450 worth of basic commodities.
Fangasan said the food supplementation will continue until their supplies last. As of now, their stockpile from the national government will be good for a month.
This will be augmented by the stocks from the city government and donations from the private sector.
The process of receiving, recording, itemizing, repacking and distribution is being done by the OCSWDO in coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, City Engineering Office, City Buildings and Architecture Office and some private volunteer organizations. (With a report from Baguio City Public Information Office)