The City Health Services Office encourages the public to prepare an emergency kit called “go-bag” as additional response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Similar to the survival go-bag during calamities, the CHSO advises a go-bag for every individual once they test positive of the Covid-19.
Dr. Nelson Hora, CHSO medical officer IV, said the go-bag during the pandemic should contain a person’s change of clothes for 14 days of isolation; maintenance medications if there are; additional drinking water; vacuum flask in case a patient would need hot water; additional blanket; toiletries and other personal hygiene needs such as extra face masks, hand sanitizer with 70 percent alcohol content, disinfectant supplies, and tissue.
“Once a person exhibits a symptom or gets tested, there is a 50 percent chance that the result will be positive. While waiting for your result, avoid additional contacts, prepare yourself and your go-bag including your diary or list of places frequented and people whom you had come in contact with for the last 14 days,” Hora said.
Over a year of struggle due to the pandemic, Hora said a lot of Covid-19 patients are still not fully prepared.
“The virus is just lurking in our midst and it will just be a matter of time when one tests positive of Covid, especially if we fail to observe minimum health standards that is why everyone should be prepared just like how we prepare during natural calamities,” said Dr. Donnabel Panes of the City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit.
She said a Covid-19 patient should take the initiative to inform his/her contacts of the positive test result so they can do their own precautionary measures and self-quarantine.
“Kapag nagpositibo ka, handa na ba ang isolation plan mo? Handa na ba ang go-bag mo? Handa na ba ang diary mo para sa contact-tracing?” Panes reminded the public. – Jessa Samidan
