AMID the threat of Typhoon "Rolly," the Department of Health (DOH) ordered Saturday, October 31, the immediate transfer of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients who are currently isolated in makeshift tents and other facilities that could be toppled by the tropical cyclone.
In a televised press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they have also ordered the transfer of medical equipment used in unstable quarantine facilities due to the threat of the typhoon.
"In our facilities, there will be a mass transfer of those under quarantined in tents to more secured places," said Vergeire.
"Our equipment in facilities that are not that secured, we are removing them and are sending them to hospitals," she added.
It should be noted that aside from hospitals, several suspected and confirmed Covid-19 cases have been staying in local temporary treatment and monitoring facilities (TTMFs).
The DOH also urged local government units (LGUs) to make sure that the evacuation centers are capable of ensuring adherence to minimum health standards.
Aside from strictly implementing the minimum health standards, she also reminded local officials to deploy safety officers in evacuation centers.
"Among ourselves, as individual persons, we should know our responsibilities to comply with minimum health standards so that the number of cases in our area won't spike," said the health official.
"The safety officer, meanwhile, will be regularly monitoring all of those people inside the evacuation site so that we can see who has symptoms, who needs to be transferred to other facilities," added Vergeire.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Typhoon Rolly is likely make a landfall on Sunday evening (November 1) or Monday early morning (November 2).
As of 10 a.m. Saturday, the eye of Rolly was located at 480 kilometers east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, with maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gusts of up to 265 km/h. It was moving west southwestward at 20 km/h. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)