AFTER several days of stay in evacuation centers, evacuees are beginning to develop upper respiratory tract infections, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
DOH Spokesman Albert Domingo said they are now starting to receive reports of evacuees developing coughs and colds, among others.
"Karamihan po ng mga sakit na naitatala namin ay minor lang, gaya ng ubo, sipon, at mga upper respiratory track infections. Dala na din ito ng pabago-bagong panahon," said Domingo on Thursday.
(Most of the illnesses we have recorded are minor, such as cough, colds, and upper respiratory tract infections, which are also brought about by the changing weather.)
"Pero wala pa namang naitatala na malala pa doon na sakit," he added.
(However, no more serious illnesses have been recorded so far.)
The health official said such cases are adequately monitored and managed by deployed health workers.
"Naka-ready naman ang mga doktor at nurse sa mga health centers dahil merong 1,184 na human resources for health na naka deploy," said Domingo.
(Doctors and nurses at health centers are prepared, with 1,184 human resources for health currently deployed.)
He, however, assured that health workers are not overworked despite the calamity.
"Mismong mga gumagamot ay dapat alagaan din. Sinisigurado ng DOH ang proper rotation ng personnel natin," said Domingo.
(Even the healthcare providers themselves must be cared for. The DOH ensures the proper rotation of our personnel.)
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the number of affected families has increased to 765,869, or 2,733,646 persons.
Of its total, 40,487 families are being aided and sheltered in 1,117 evacuation centers, said the NDRRMC. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)