Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) chief of hospital Dr. Leopoldo Vega said on Monday that during a state of public health emergency, a mandatory quarantine is in effect.
“Whether you like it or not if you are a threat to the society, you are a threat to public health, you have to be quarantined,” Vega said.
He cited example of a patient currently being monitored at SPMC with symptoms of cough and fever and who refused to be quarantined.
“He is okay but he is fighting with us because he does not want to be confined. Currently he is doing alright and he is not running around,” he said.
Meantime, the Department of Health-Davao has identified area for possible quarantine facility in the region in case the quarantine facility in New Clark City will be filled up with repatriates.
DOH regional director Dr. Annabelle Yumang said they are looking at a government-owned facility in the region to be used as quarantine facility. Unused rehabilitation centers fit the requirement, according to Yumang.
“At least least andam ang atong region,” Yumang said.
She said the facility can house 30 patients.
An ideal quarantine facility has a ratio of one patient/one room. The DOH-Davao is also considering of deploying doctors and nurses trained to handle COVID-19 cases.
“Dako-dako ang panginahanglon labi na kung mangabot ang mga repatriates that is why we need other agencies na mutabang bisan government agencies,” she said.
She said the Inter-agency Task Force with members coming from different agencies conducts meeting every now and then to address issues and concerns.
“Kung naay i – repatriate na karon at least dili lng DOH ang mu trabaho but also other government agencies bisan DSWD puede nato patabangon,” she said.
Yumang said there are members of the task force who are task to monitor the spread of fake news on social media. She said the task force will meet again to file proper complaint against those who are spreading wrong information online.
The task force will also help address concerns for those patients who refuse to undergo quarantine.
In a related development, the Department of Health-Davao Center for Health and Development is also calling out to the public to refrain from spreading “fake news” and wrong information about the disease on social media as it causes unnecessary panic among the people.
“If you cannot provide the solution, don’t be a part of the problem because we are now in a mess,” Vega said.
