The City Health Services Office is reminding the public to keep themselves warm as the temperature begins to drop.
City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit head Donnabel Panes said keeping the body warm will not only protect an individual from common colds and a possible heart attack but will also from the Covid-19 infection.
Panes said the SARS-CoV 2 thrives in a cold environment and records shows that influenza-like illnesses also increase from July to December – the rainy and the Yuletide seasons both characterized by lower temperature.
The signs and symptoms of influenza are similar to that of Covid-19.
She said the immune system of a person weakens when the body temperature drops, making a person susceptible to Covid-19. She said a lower temperature also stresses the body which can cause a heart attack.
Panes said a person who has symptoms has a bigger chance of spreading the disease if he or she does not observe basic health and safety protocols.
“About 80 to 85 percent of Covid cases can be avoided if a sick person stays home to rest and recuperate,” Panes said.
“The virus does not have a brain, but we have, and we can decide to avoid it by observing basic safety protocols,” Panes said.
She advised the public to follow the Department of Health’s three C’s campaign: avoid crowded places, close contact, and confined or enclosed spaces.
Asked if the worse is over for the city, Panes said there is no assurance until vaccines are administered to make residents immune to the disease.
At present, 92 percent of the city’s total cases have recovered.
“Fatality is at 1.36 percent which means you have 98.63 percent chance of living if you will follow the safety protocols and by boosting your immune system, which is much higher than the possibility of dying due to the Covid,” Panes said. – PNA
