The local government of Muntinlupa assured the public on Thursday it is taking precautionary measures against the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) following the rise of new confirmed cases in the country.
To reduce the risk of large-scale local transmission and spreading of COVID-19 among city residents, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi ordered barangay officials and the City Health Office to intensify identification of residents with travel history for monitoring.
“We have alerted the barangays to deploy health workers to conduct a census of residents with travel history abroad, especially from countries with widespread or ongoing community spread. The City Health Office shall assess these residents and depending on their travel history, they will be asked to stay home for a period of 14 days from the time of their arrival,” Fresnedi said.
The World Health Organization recorded high numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.
Barangay government units are also preparing to install isolation areas for residents suspected to have contracted the virus for monitoring of the local health office.
Muntinlupa City Health Officer Dr. Teresa Tuliao said the identification of high risks individuals is part of the city’s preventive measure to contain the spread of the virus and prevent community transmission.
“If we are able to identify residents with travel history, we are in a better position to minimize the risk of potential local transmission. The local government is closely coordinating with the Department of Health and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine regarding the management of suspected COVID-19 cases,” Tuliao said.
“We are also coordinating with local hospital administrators for the real-time updating of persons under investigation admitted in their respective facilities,” the local health officer noted.
Tuliao added there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Muntinlupa residents to date.
The City Health Office advised the public to report cases of individuals in their communities with travel history that manifest symptoms of COVID-19 respiratory disease. Muntinlupa City residents can coordinate with the City Health Office at 541 4813 or Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office at 925 4382.
Fresnedi urged city residents to consider deferring all non-essential travel outside the country. He encouraged the public to practice good personal hygiene, observe social distancing, and adopt healthy lifestyles to increase body resistance against infections.
Following the suspension of classes in Metro Manila, PNP Muntinlupa deployed additional personnel in malls to prohibit students from entering the premises.
Recently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government directed LGUs to keep all students away from malls, movie houses, public markets and other crowded places to stop and contain the spread of COVID-19 in the communities.
The local government has also mobilized the Muntinlupa COVID-19 Task Force to spearhead measures against the spread of the disease in the city.