Tabuk City, Kalinga – With the rise of COVID-19 cases in Kalinga resulting in the temporary closure of hospitals and infection of health workers in the last two weeks, the province has been classified as high epidemic risk level.
This means that the occupancy rate of Covid-19 facilities is more than 70% but less than 85%. In Kalinga’s case, the surge of infections resulted in situations where facilities have been fully occupied.
Meantime, to reduce the spread of the virus, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Edward Tandingan recommended several interventions for the local government units to include in their COVID-19 response.
One of the recommendations is focused on the human resource for hospitals and field health services units, workforce concerning those from non-pharmaceutical organizations, and those from the pharmaceutical organizations.
Human Resource for Hospital and Field Health Service Units
According to Dr. Tandingan, LGUs should hire additional vaccinators, data encoders, and contact tracers to augment the needed personnel to finish contact tracing of index cases within 24 hours of infection.
Hospital staff, he said, should be divided into teams to work on a rotational schedule that would allow proper monitoring and support to health workers in hospitals.
LGUs, he said, should likewise pay attention to the organization and mobilization of PHO and PDOHO Vaccination Teams, health workers from PNP, DepEd, NCIP, and other sectoral members of the PIATF.
Workforce environments concerning those from Non-Pharmaceutical Organizations
Tandingan also reiterated that employees should avoid eating together at the workplace or job site.
He likewise appealed for the public to use face masks and face shields properly, and observe physical distancing even when attending webinars or virtual meetings.
The health officer advised that people who were tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms do not have to go to hospitals, as they might just cause further spread of the virus.
The officer also added in his recommendation the procurement of PPEs, formulate local governance measures, reactivation/mobilization of BHERTs and Barangay Tanods to monitor compliance to quarantine and isolation measures, enforcement of border regulations, enforcement of no non-essential gatherings, and the imposition of granular lockdowns as decided by the local IATF.
Workforce environments concerning those from Pharmaceutical Organizations
Under this workforce, Tandingan recommended the use of proven medicines and drugs for COVID-19 treatment such as Remdesivir, Dexamethasone, and Tocilizumab. He prescribed medical treatment such as antibiotics and IV fluids, among others if needed.
The health officer also proposed the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the appropriate health facilities according to manifestations or symptoms felt by the patient.
LGUs, he said, must vaccinate target groups until 70% of Kalinga residents are inoculated.
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