Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan, chairman of Bacolod City Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) Action Team, said they will hold a meeting Thursday, August 25, to discuss the composition of the team.
“This team is separate from the Covid-19 Action Team,” she said, adding that they are also waiting for a directive from the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the Monkeypox infections.
On August 23, 2022, the DOH-Western Visayas confirmed the fourth case of monkeypox in the country, particularly in Iloilo province.
The 25-year-old patient was working in Iloilo City with no documented travel history to or from any country with a documented confirmed case of monkeypox.
The patient is currently being treated and isolated in a hospital.
Adriano Suba-an, director of DOH-Western Visayas, in a statement, said they already conducted a contact tracing in coordination with the concerned health offices and have identified a total of 14 close contacts.
Suba-an said all close contacts are being monitored and an investigation is still ongoing to find out the source of infection.
“The public is advised to remain calm and properly informed about the monkeypox disease. Its symptoms are mild and the disease is rarely fatal,” he added.
The health official urged the public to avoid close and sustained physical contact with suspected cases especially those with rashes or skin lesions.
“Continue practicing minimum health standards such as hand washing, wearing of face mask, practice of cough etiquette, and choosing areas with good airflow,” he added.
In Bacolod City, Pornan said that there is no suspected case of monkeypox so far.
As part of their preparation, she said the city will also identify an isolation facility for the monkeypox patients.
“We should have a separate isolation facility for monkeypox and Covid-19 patients. For now, we are waiting for the directive from the DOH,” she added.
Pornan, meanwhile, said they are also intensifying their Covid-19 vaccination program in various barangays including in schools.
As of August 23, 2022, Bacolod City had a total of 28,965 Covid-19 cases. Of the number, 27, 896 patients already recovered, 170 cases remained active while 885 died.