March 29, 2024

The City Health Services Office has advised the public who might one day be isolated at either the Sto. Niño Jesus Hospital or at the Teachers’ Camp to bring with them their personal effects and articles.

The CHSO said the city government provides free meals, drinking water, and other basic necessities to those under isolation for Covid-19, but supplies are limited.

Dr. Donnabel Panes, head of the City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, said the city government is stretching its budget to accommodate the continuous increase of patients and the procurement of personal protective equipment for the frontline workers.

She said it is important for the public to plan their isolation ahead of time and prepare the supplies they need in case they get infected of the Covid-19 virus.

At the two isolation facilities of Baguio, patients are separated in rooms but they are expected to bring additional water, utensils including vacuum flask for hot water, toiletries, and other personal hygiene effects including their maintenance medication if there are, clothes for the duration of the isolation and additional blanket.

Those with additional needs may ask for assistance from their relatives and friends to deliver to the isolation facilities.

In case that all of the patient’s relatives or friends are on quarantine, they may ask for assistance from personnel of the Sto. Niño or Teachers’ Camp isolation facilities.

Panes said health officials are exploring home care or home isolation for asymptomatic patients as an option to prevent isolation facilities from reaching their full capacity, but home care will only be possible if the patient has a separate toilet, bedroom, utensils and has food supply or relatives who can deliver his/her needs during while on isolation.

“Self-protection and self-preparedness are the key since the government cannot provide everything once someone is isolated due to limited resources,” Panes said.

This being said, Panes reminded the public to follow minimum public health standards to avoid contracting the virus.

“The virus is real so protect yourself by following minimum health standards and do not bring home the virus. To say that the virus is not real is hurting families of those who died due to Covid-19 complications,” Panes said. – Jessa Samidan