DOH: No need for typhoon responders to undergo COVID-19 testing
MANILA, Philippines — Emergency responders who will be deployed to conduct disaster response efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni) do not need to undergo coronavirus testing, the Department of Health said on Monday.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said responders may be deployed under the conditions that they have no symptoms and have no exposure with a COVID-19 case.
“We want to clarify that there is no need for our responders to undergo testing as long as they are asymptomatic and without history of exposure to a confirmed or probable case as certified by a physician,” Duque said in a televised briefing with other government officials.
If a responder gets exposed to a COVID-19 case during emergency operations, contact tracing will be carried out, Dr. Gloria Balboa, DOH director for health emergencies, said in a separate briefing.
“Of course, we’ll do contact tracing. Close contacts will be also quarantined and tested,” Balboa said.
Rolly, a super typhoon at its height, lashed the southern end of Luzon with catastrophic rains and heavy rains, knocking down trees and power lines, destroying flimsy houses and triggering flash floods and mudslides. At least two million people have been affected by this year’s most powerful storm, with 16 reported deaths so far.
‘We can’t test all’
The country will not be able to test all people who fled to evacuation centers, the DOH said, but it assured there are precautions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in temporary shelters.
At least 114,000 families or 416,195 individuals are served inside and outside evacuation centers, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The implementation of physical distancing rules can be more challenging than usual in temporary shelters.
“Testing people in evacuation sites it’s the ideal. Ideally, if we have resources and we can implement it, we can do that,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
However, she said that testing is “not really recommended at this point.”
“What we have recommended are symptoms screening and assignment of safety officers,” Vergeire said. Safety officers are tasked to conduct symptoms screening and clinical and exposure assessment of evacuees to identify and isolate suspect and probable cases.
Balboa also said at least 155 COVID-19 patients and 169 staff had been transferred from temporary and monitoring facilities to hospitals and hotels ahead of Rolly’s landfall.
The country’s coronavirus caseload rose to 385,400 Monday. Of the figure, 29,301 or 7.6% of the total confirmed cases are active.
Follow this thread for updates on tropical cyclone Rolly (international name: Goni).
Australia provides an additional P28.52 million to support Filipino communities affected by tropical cyclone Rolly in the Bicol Region.
This will help the government provide food, repair damaged homes and support emergency medical teams in the region. Australia's latest commitment will directly assist 23,345 people, including 2,990 women and girls.
"This support is even more critical following Typhoon Ulysses that caused further hardship for the people in the Bicol Region. Australia stands with the Philippines in this time of need," Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson says.
President Rodrigo Duterte may place the regions of CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Bicol under state of calamity because of the impact of typhoon "Rolly," Malacañang says.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has approved a recommendation to place the three Luzon regions under state of calamity to fast-track the recovery of the typhoon-ravaged areas.
"Most likely, but let us wait for the document that will come from the Office of the President," presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing when asked if Duterte would adopt the recommendation of the council. — Alexis Romero
The provincial board has placed Camarines Sur under state of calamity following the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly.
In a resolution released Monday, the local government cited strong winds and torrential rains, as well as the extensive flooding and other damages brought about by the typhoon.
At 3 p.m., Tropical Storm Rolly was located 225 kilometers west of Iba, Zambales.
The cyclone bears maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gusts of up to 80 kph. It is moving north northwestward at 15 kph.
Vice President Leni Robredo posts photos of the first signs of devastation brought about by Typhoon Rolly in Camarines Sur.
Robredo says she left Manila before dawn on Monday to visit the typhoon-hit province.
The vice president will also be visiting Albay and Catanduanes.
Left Manila before dawn today. Just arrived CamSur and these were the first signs of devastation we saw. Will be going around Albay and Catanduanes, as well.
Posted by Leni Gerona Robredo on Sunday, 1 November 2020
- Latest
- Trending
