HEALTH AUTHORITIES in South Cotabato declared on Wednesday the sustained community transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Koronadal City.
Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., head of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), said this was based on the result of the cross-sectional study conducted by its epidemiology and surveillance unit (Pesu) on the cases of Covid-19 transmission in the area since last month.
He said they were able to trace most of the transmission to at least three groups -- fish vendors, party (goers), and local hospitals.
Those infected were found to have no history of travel outside South Cotabato and did not have relevant contact with positive cases, he said.
“It means that we can no longer determine the origin of some infections that were detected in our communities,” he said in a press conference.
As of Tuesday night, the confirmed Covid-19 cases in Koronadal City already reached a total of 150, with 99 still active and 49 already recovered.
The infections mainly surged in the last three weeks, from just 18 on Aug. 28, due to local transmission and clustering of cases.
Over 30 cases of the disease were earlier detected among fish vendors with reported exposure to the fish port complex here while a number of infections were linked to an unspecified party or celebration.
IPHO reported last week some 22 Covid-19 infections among medical and health workers in the city, with 11 coming from the City Health Office, 10 from the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital, and one from a private hospital.
Aturdido said the study showed that the disease’s “attack rate” was quite high at 13.07 percent per 10,000 population from August to the second week of September.
He said it means that 13 people in every 10,000 population in Koronadal City had the possibility of contracting the disease during the period.
In terms of testing, the area logged 14 percent in July, 12.2 percent in August, and 31.5 percent as of Sept. 16.
The official clarified that the study was not meant to create fear among residents of Koronadal City but for them to be aware of the situation and act accordingly to avoid getting infected with the disease.
He said they already relayed it to South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., Koronadal City Mayor Eliordo Ogena, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for appropriate action.
It included some recommendations, among them the implementation of stricter crowd control measures at the main public market of Koronadal City, he said.
Aturdido reiterated the stricter compliance to health protocols, especially the proper wearing of face masks, face shields, regular hand washing, frequent use of alcohol for personal sanitation, and the observance of safe physical distancing.
“We have to protect ourselves at all times because the virus may just be around,” he said. (By Allen Estabillo)
No comments:
Post a Comment