Dumaguete mayor issues EO to create inter-agency task force for 2019-nCoV

Satellite Map of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental | via Google Maps

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental—Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo issued Executive Order No. 03 series of 2020 on Monday, February 4, 2020, for the creation of an inter-agency task force on coronavirus.

The local government unit created the Inter-Agency Task Force for the management of the first case of novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease in the city.

To recall, a 38-year-old Chinese woman and her companion, who stayed in a hotel in Dumaguete City and at a resort in the municipality of Dauin, were confirmed positive of the 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).  Her 44-year-old partner died last Saturday, February 2, 2020 while being treated at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.

The inter-agency task force will conduct relevant press conference to provide direct social awareness for the  benefit of all constituents, residents and guests of the metropolis.

The task force is also directed to post public advisories and precautionary measures to inform and educate the general public regarding proper hygiene, regular hand washing, and thwart “mass hysteria”, fear or panic.

Based on the E.O, the task force is mandated to coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration, airport, sea ports, and other government agencies for entry and exit of passengers coming from nCoV-affected countries.

Remollo, in his E.O, said there should be contact tracing to track down all individuals that came to the city who may have had contact with Chinese nationals who recently tested positive for nCoV.

The statement said that there should be an institutionalized surveillance, alert and similar quarantine process in all ports of entry in the city and strictly monitor suspected individuals possibly infected and ensuring the safety of all responders. /bmjo