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NTF eyes One Hospital Command in Northern Mindanao amid rising COVID-19 cases


The National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 is eyeing the establishment of a One Hospital Command for Region 10 or Northern Mindanao due to the rising number of COVID-19 patients in the region.

The establishment of a One Hospital Command will ensure effective and efficient health facility referral for patients, according to NTF COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

“Gagawa tayo ng One Hospital Command sa pamumuno ng ating Regional Director at ng Northern Mindanao Medical Center,” Galvez said.

“Ang pinakaimportante po sa ating National Action Plan ay puwede tayong mag-angat para sa ekonomiya, puwede tayong magbukas for as long as we maintain 'yung zero deaths. Ang primary objective natin is makapag-save tayo ng lives at tsaka mababa ang death,” he added.

Iligan City was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until September 30 because of its increasing cases of infection.

Galvez discussed the thrusts of the implementation of the National Action Plan against COVID-19.

He also stressed the creation of an effective contact tracing team with the same mechanism employed by the city of Valenzuela where there is a systematized monitoring of its residents and patients.

Galvez told Iligan City officials to remove home quarantine as an option to isolate asymptomatic patients as risk of spreading infection to other household members is prevalent.

“Yan po ang aming nakita sa Laguna. 70% ang naka-home quarantine. Ang nangyari sa Laguna, nag-spike ng napakalaki, ganun din ang Cebu,” he said.

“Kapag naka-home quarantine, hindi po natin sila nakikita. Hindi po 24 hours nakikita po natin yan,” he added.

As of September 3, Iligan City has 377 total confirmed cases, 34 of whom are placed under home quarantine.

The NTF COVID-19 also allocated 2,000 test kits, 4,000 KN95 face masks, 2,000 N98 surgical masks, and 2,000 PPE for Iligan City.

“Ang importante, pangalagaan natin ang Iligan at Cagayan de Oro. Kasi ang Iligan at Cagayan de Oro, yan ang economic hub natin,” Galvez said. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News

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