DOH warns vs rainy season diseases amid COVID-19 threat

The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public against a wave of diseases as the rainy season arrives amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a "24 Oras" report on Tuesday, DOH director Dr. Eric Tayag said that waterborne diseases may become more prevalent and create a "perfect storm."

"Ayaw natin magpatong-patong 'yung outbreak ng COVID-19 tapos may outbreak ng cholera o diarrhea tapos leptospirosis, influenza tapos tinabunan pa ng dengue," he said.

According to DOH, over 430,000 cases of dengue and 138,000 cases of influenza were recorded last year. Meanwhile, 479 people had leptospirosis.

Should citizens contract rainy season diseases, the country will have to brace for difficulties because most of the diseases share similar symptoms with COVID-19.

"'Pag dumami ang influenza natin, hindi natin malalaman kung ito ay trangkaso o COVID-19 so 'yan ang mahirap na sitwasyon sa atin. Double whammy, mayroon na tayong COVID-19, mayroon na tayong flu," Tayag said.

DOH undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire assured the public, however, that should a patient show symptoms of COVID-19, they will be considered as carriers of the disease.

READ: Philippines, other virus-hit Asian nations brace for double disasters as extreme weather looms

DOH also warned the public of possible of cross-contamination in hospitals because patients could acquire other patients' diseases.

"Ngayon onti lang ang bilang ng bata na nagkaka-COVID-19 so kung magsasabay 'yun, nasa ospital sila na tumatanggap ng COVID-19 tas dadami 'yung dengue baka magkaroon ng cross-contamination sa mga batang may dengue," Tayag said.

According to Vergeire, COVID-19 patients are safely isolated from the other patients in the hospital regardless of the season.

DOH told the public that practicing personal hygiene remains to be one of the best ways to protect oneself against the diseases.

Should you find yourself showing symptoms of COVID-19, practice self-isolation and contact your barangay.

For those who need to consult with a doctor amid the pandemic, the following numbers are available for teleconsultation:

Metro Manila:  
(02) 8424-1724
(02) 7798 8000

Outside of Metro Manila:
1555
(02) 984-COVID
(02) 8942-6843

—Kaela Malig/MGP, GMA News