ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas is enjoining city residents to observe strict home quarantine protocols to arrest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission.
Current cases show a shift in infections to households, he said, noting that health protocols being practiced in work places appear to be holding up.
“The war front is now the households. Workplaces used to have many transmissions but with health protocols in place, infections have lessened,” Treñas said.
As of Sept. 12, the City Hall Quarantine Facility Management recorded 1,117 COVID-19 positive patients and close contacts on home quarantine.
Home quarantine is only allowed if the house has well-ventilated rooms with one having its own comfort room so the patient is totally isolated from the rest of the household, subject to the assessment of Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) and a district doctor.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE IS SICK AT HOME
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), if some is sick at home, he must be isolated.
There should be a separate room or isolated space for the sick person so he could keep distance from others.
The room must be well ventilated and windows should be open always.
To reduce contact with the virus, the household must identify one family member to be the contact person who is not at high risk and has the fewest contacts with people outside.
One must wear a medical mask if in the same room as the sick person.
Also, use separate dishes, cups, eating utensils and bedding from the sick person and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
It is also a must to monitor the sick person’s symptoms regularly.
Pay special attention if the person is at high risk for serious illness and ensure that he rests and stays hydrated. (With report from Iloilo City PIO/PN)
