Moreno: Protocol compliance ensures protection vs COVID-19 variants

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 2 (PIA)--While not dismissing public concern over the new variants of COVID-19, City Mayor Oscar Moreno said the risk of infection will be avoided if people fully comply with minimum public health standards.

“As medical authorities around the world like Dr. Anthony Fauci (senior medical advisor to US President Joe Biden), continually advise repeatedly, strict observance of minimum public health standards like wearing of face masks and face shields, physical distancing, hand disinfection and so on can protect us from COVID-19 or its variants,” Moreno said. 

The mayor said this in response to questions over City Hall’s gradual transition from housing arrivals at city isolation units to home quarantine.

Among the concerns raised is the possibility of returning residents contracting or being infected with B117, a COVID-19 variant that originated from Great Britain.  Another  COVID-19 variant was identified as originating in South Africa.

Both Moreno and City Health Office (CHO) Epidemiologist Dr. Teodulfo Joselito Retuya, Jr. said inbound travelers to Cagayan de Oro City were already processed in every international airport in Manila, Cebu, Davao and Clark before arriving in the city.  

Acting City Health Officer Dr.  Lorraine Nery also said barangay health teams monitor the arrivals once they undergo their two-week home quarantine. 

“There is understandable concern over the new COVID-19 variants as well as the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.  But there’s no debate over the effectivity of minimum public health standards. And all the airports, seaports and bus terminals are strictly enforcing and mandating their passengers to comply with these protocols,” Moreno said. (CIO/PIA10)



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

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