Seeking late medical consultation leads to increased chances of hospitalization, or worse, death, the Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center-Task Force warned yesterday.
“Data on Covid-19 cases show that seeking consultation after four days or more since the onset of illness increases the risk of being hospitalized, being placed on a mechanical ventilator, or of dying. Sustained exposure to other household members infects them subsequently,” Contact Tracing head, Dr. Rosalie Deocampo, said in the EOC daily online huddle recently.
“Please do not go to work anymore if you are experiencing any discomfort or symptom. Call in sick to work and go to the Bacolod Respiratory Outpatient Center, or any clinic of your choice, for check-up and RT-PCR test for early detection, isolation, and treatment. Strictly observe minimum health protocols to prevent further spread of the infection,” she added in a press release from the city.
Consequently, close contacts of positive patient – like his or her household members, or co-workers, will be traced, swabbed, and isolated.
The Bacolod Respiratory Outpatient Center located at the Bays Center, in front of the Bacolod Public Plaza, continues to offer free medical consultation and Covid-19 swabbing for those who have symptoms.
The EOC contact tracing report on May 31 showed that 41 individuals turned out positive for Covid-19 due to household transmission.
It also showed that 47 percent of 663 individuals, who sought consultation and were swabbed within a 14-day period, or from May 18 to May 31, tested positive for Covid, the press release said.
“Seek early medical consultation from the onset of illness for immediate diagnosis and intervention. Do not wait until it’s too late,” EOC executive director and City Administrator Em Ang also advised.
She added that the number of new Covid cases is still very high.
The EOC is doubling its containment and mitigating efforts, including contact tracing, swabbing, isolating, healthcare capacity management, and information education campaign.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chairman of the local IATF, reminded every Bacolodnon to follow minimum heath protocols, like proper wearing of face masks and face shields, and observing social distancing.
Joining the recent EOC huddle that discussed the report on the possible results of late consultations were Councilor Lady Gles Pallen, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, EOC deputy medical and OIC city health officer Dr. Edwin Miraflor Jr., EOC deputy medical and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan, and EOC deputy medical Dr. Chris Sorongon, the press release added.*
