Baguio City steps up measures against COVID-19

March 16, 2020 Headlines

BAGUIO CITY – While the Summer Capital remained COVID-19 free as of March 13, local officials have stepped up measures for the prevention and response to the public health emergency.
In a press release issued on Wednesday (March 13) by the City Information Office, among the preparations laid out by Mayor Benjamin Magalong are the setting up of a hotline number 09422692649 or 665- 2757.
Residents can call those telephone numbers to avail medical assistance and can report if they suspect they have developed signs and symptoms of the dreaded virus like acute respiratory and influenza-like illness.
These persons are advised to go to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for immediate medical attention. A containment center will be set up at the PFVR gym for persons under investigation (PUIs).
The temporary facility will be manned by doctors and medical staff from the different hospitals and will be under the command of BGHMC Medical Chief Dr. Ricardo Runez. City Health Officer Rowena Galpo said the DOHCHD-Car under officer-incharge regional director Amelita Pangilinan will issue operational guidelines for the center.
Magalong also ordered the massive and intensive disinfection of government offices including schools and the city public market immediately. A similar order was issued to private business establishments and the transport service sector.
Dr. Galpo said the DOH strongly recommended the sanitizing of areas and facilities frequently touched or used. Market Superintendent Fernando Ragma said they will undertake the disinfection of the roads, alleys and stalls.Departments were also urged to adopt alternative work arrangements without disrupting services as per the Civil Service Commission order and the suspension of the conduct of flag ceremonies and big crowd meetings.
Magalong also urged the public not to panic and to always to keep posted with the COVID19 updates only from reliable news sources especially those coming from the concerned government agencies like DOH.
On Thursday (March 12), President Duterte has placed the whole country into Code Red Sublevel 2.Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic after cases continued to increase worldwide.
Meanwhile, nearby Benguet towns also have stepped its preparations, and have cancelled events/activities especially those gather large crowd.
In a related development, Benguet governor Melchor Diclas, through the Province’ Facebook, issued an Executive Order (EO) 2020-014, suspending all tourism events, crowd-drawing activities, including the operation of resto-bars and karaoke bars.The executive order which took effect on March 13 until April 10 (2020) covers the entire province.
Diclas has directed municipal mayors to cause the wider dissemination of the order. As of press time (March 13) , Benguet Province remained COVID-19 free.
 
Baguio City PIO/Primo Agatep/ABN