Vizcaya dad reminds LGUs to prioritize isolation units

Board Member Flodemonte Gerdan (File photo)

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Sept. 29 (PIA) - The presence of COVID-19 is here to stay unless local government units will put - up their own Community Isolation Units (CIUs), a local official of this province said.

"The necessity and importance of CIUs must be given priority by MLGUs. This is the only way to contain the COVID-19 infection," said Board Member Flodemonte Gerdan.

He said mass swabbing and testing among COVID-19 suspects will be useless since these subjects can still get out from their houses and roam around in their community.

Gerdan also stressed that fighting and mitigating the COVID-19 requires LGUs to put-up their own CIUs.

"The establishment of CIUs must be a shared responsibility by our LGUs. They should be encouraged to make their own," he added.

Health officials here also expressed optimism that LGUs in the province will have their own CIUs soon with the approval of the Bayanihan 2 Funds to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 in the country.

John Tugadi, Department of Health (DOH) coordinator said COVID-19 suspects should not get out from quarantine and isolation facilities inorder to prevent local transmission of the virus.

He said that as of September 22, the Utilization Rate(UR) for several CIUs in the province are as follows: 12-bed Alfonso Castaneda Museum Building with 50 percent UR, 25-bed Bambang CIU with 24 percent UR, 15-bed Barangay Village Municipal Sports Center Compound CIU with 67 percent UR, 6-bed Quezon CIU with 100 percent UR, 3-bed Quezon CIU Annex with 0 percent UR, 19 - bed NV Provincial Hospital CIU with 68 percent UR, 8-bed Dupax district Hospital CIU with 100 percent UR, 6-bed Lt. Tidang Memorial Hospital with 67 percent UR and the 6-bed Kasibu Municipal Hospital with 0 percent UR.

Tugadi said they have recommended the need to increase the number of quarantine and isolation facilities in the province, municipal and barangay levels to cater to the growing number of COVID-19 patients in the province. (MDCT/BME /PIA 2-Nueva Vizcaya)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)