INTER-AGENCY Task Force Visayas chief implementer Mel Feliciano has urged individuals showing early symptoms of Covid-19 to seek immediate medical attention.
"Strict monitoring of symptomatic individuals is important for them to avoid developing moderate to severe symptoms that could lead to further hospitalization, and worst death," said Feliciano, who oversees the Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center Task Force (EOC-TF) in coordination with Task Force head Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Just this October, data from the EOC-TF showed that 157 out of 706 individuals with flu-like symptoms have tested positive for coronavirus and this translates into a positivity rate of 22.24 percent.
As of October 23, the Covid-19 fatality rate in Bacolod already reached 2.54 percent, or an aggregate of 199 hospitalization and home deaths.
"People die -- that's the worst thing about Covid-19. That's why we have to prevent it. Several home deaths have been recorded due to the absence of, or late, medical intervention," Feliciano said.
Leonardia has ordered the Bacolod Respiratory Outpatient (BRO) Center to extend its free consultation hours from the previous schedule of 8 a.m. to 12 noon, to whole day 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Mondays to Fridays, beginning October 26.
This new schedule adjustment to accommodate the symptomatic Covid-19 patients was confirmed by CHO office-in-charge and BRO administrator Dr. Edwin Miraflor Jr.
The BRO Center, located at the Bays Center (in front of Bacolod City Public Plaza), will serve as the catchment area of patients with early Covid-19 or influenza-like symptoms, according to City Administrator Em Ang, EOC executive director and deputy for administration and operations. (PR)