Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda enjoining local executives to reactivate their quarantine facilities. Photo by Gerald Gloton/Pampanga PIO
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “Now, when adults take medicines, they start to feel better. That is why right now, we will give priority to pediatrics because we are having a hard time with children below five years old. Sometimes, they cannot tell exactly what and how they feel.”
Thus, noted Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda in a meeting with mayors and hospital chiefs last Wednesday in the wake of a surge of the coronavirus disease in the province.
Daily cases averaging in the 400s reached 507 on Wednesday and 546 the following day.
The governor made a strong appeal for the local government executives to reactivate their respective quarantine facilities.
“At the rate we are going, we need additional facilities. Once the facilities in your cities and municipalities are full, let us follow what we talked about regarding home quarantine,” he said. “Once a member of the household tested positive and will be on home quarantine, all the members of that residence should also be on quarantine for a period of 10 days. For healthcare workers, this is shortened to five days because we need them to render duty.”
Taking the vaccine rollout directly to the barangay level is being pushed by the provincial government to arrest the surge.
“The provincial government and Department of Health will support vaccination at the barangay level. Barangay captains just need to inform us or their respective rural health units so that we can augment in terms of vaccine supplies, logistics, and personnel,” Pineda said.
No vax, No entry
The governor likewise reminded the barangays to limit the mobility of unvaccinated individuals by strictly implementing the “no vaccine, no entry” policy in their jurisdiction, as well as advise children to stay at home.
He also assured the LGUs that the provincial government will procure additional medicines and antibiotics for Covid-positive Kapampangans.
Aside from the adult population, the province is now coordinating with health professionals in the preparation and distribution of medicines for pediatric patients.
Pineda also reminded incumbent officials to refrain from campaigning at this early but focus first on implementing regular programs.
“We solicit the support of barangay officials and police personnel to tighten the implementation of guidelines issued by Department of the Interior and Local Government on pre-campaign activities to prevent mass gatherings that may cause further spread of the virus,” he said.
Pampanga is under Alert level 3 with the continuous increase of Covid-19 cases.
