By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia again urged Bacolodnons to seek immediate medical attention if they show “even the mildest symptoms” of COVID-19 to avoid more deaths.
“A simple cough, sore throat, headache, colds, diarrhea, or any flu-like symptoms, regardless of age, must be taken into account. Let us always remember – the most important thing is for our people to survive,” Leonardia told the 61 Punong Barangays during a recent meeting with DILG-Bacolod city director Ma. Joy Maredith Madayag.
Bacolod posted 14 deaths due to COVID-19 from Nov 1 to 10, according to data from the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
These cases are mostly “home deaths,” or patients contracting the virus despite staying at home, proof of COVID transmission within households.
Leonardia lamented that several of these cases sought medical help too late.
These 14 fatalities were aged 60 to 90 years old, EOC records also showed.
Dr. Chris Sorongon, EOC deputy medical for data analysis and assessment, said people in this age bracket are “considered high-risk or highly vulnerable individuals.”
“Early detection at the barangay level, and consequent isolation and treatment, regardless of age, is therefore needed to avoid more COVID deaths in the city,” he added.
Leonardia reiterated that the City Government continues to offer free consultations and swab tests for people showing symptoms of COVID-19. These services are available at the Bacolod Respiratory Outpatient (BRO) Center located inside the BAYS Center along San Juan Street.
The BRO Center operates from 8 am to 4 pm from Mondays to Fridays.
On Nov 9, officials and deputies of the Bacolod EOC Task Force also convened the barangay captains to again discuss with them the amplified strategies for the early detection of COVID-19 at the barangay level.
Also in attendance were Councilor Lady Gles Pallen, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, and Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan, EOC Task Force deputy for medical.
Early detection is among the tenets of the City Government’s “Halong, Ugyon Bacolod” campaign, launched last October 29, which primarily focuses on the conduct of simultaneous inspection, monitoring and education activities.
To strengthen the early detection strategy, members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) were required to be part of the surveillance testing.
In the Nov 9 meeting, City Administrator Em Ang, EOC executive director and deputy for administration and operations, reminded the barangay captains about the Bacolod Contact Tracing (BaCTrac) System, its implementation and mandatory registration.
Ang also encouraged the barangay captains to intensify the information and education campaign against COVID-19 in their areas.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran supported the installation of Task Force Disiplina units in the barangays to monitor compliance with minimum health protocols at the grassroots, as another initiative to carry out the “Halong, Ugyon Bacolod” anti-COVID campaign.
