5 dead due to diarrhea, vomiting in Siargao; hospital now ‘overwhelmed’ –gov

Five people have already died while 120 more were confined at Siargao District Hospital due to diarrhea and vomiting outbreak, Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco “Lalo” Matugas said on Thursday.

“Nagkaroon kami ngayon ng epidemic sa diarrhea at vomiting. ‘Yung maliit namin, ‘yung Siargao District Hospital is now overwhelmed mga 120 patients na nandiyan,” Matugas said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(We now have an outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting. The Siargao District Hospital is now overwhelmed with 120 patients.)

Matugas said they are having a hard time getting supplies of drinking water as there are not many boats and vessels available to transport relief goods from Surigao City to Siarago.

Since the island remains with no power, he added that they could not get access to water refilling stations. They only have two working stations but these are not enough to support the whole island.

“We are expecting, hopefully by tomorrow, may hinihiram kaming LCT (landing craft tank) para makarga ‘yung mga bigas, canned goods, ‘yung drinking water—‘yun ang number one problem,” he said.

(We have borrowed LCT to carry sacks of rice, canned goods, and drinking water which is our number one problem. We are expecting them to arrive by tomorrow.)

Due to the increasing diarrhea and vomiting incidents, the governor is also asking for donations of medicines and dextrose as the hospital lacks supplies to accommodate all patients. They are expecting a batch of supplies this afternoon.

“‘Yung hospital namin ngayon, punong puno na ng pasyente. Kulang na kami ng medisina lalo na ng dextrose,” he said.

(Our hospital is now full with patients and we lack medicine, especially dextrose supplies.)

Matugas said that there are around 20,000 families on the island that they need to supply with basic necessities, yet delivery of items are still slow-going due to limited transportation.

He said they have however received 14,000 family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that were distributed immediately to the people. They are also being helped by other local government units.

For their part, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), along with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and Philippine Ports Authority, said they would be prioritizing rebuilding the Siargao seaports and the airport which was "totally damaged”.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Wednesday met with local officials of Surigao del Norte and promised the immediate reopening of commercial flight operations at the Siargao Airport, and the reassignment of Ro-Ro vessels in various parts of the island to provide mobility and connectivity to residents, stranded tourists, and incoming relief.

“What happened in the wake of Typhoon Odette calls for immediate attention. Kaya nandirito kami ngayon upang i-prioritize ang mga paliparan at mga puerto dahil entry and exit points ‘yan ng lugar,” he said in a statement.

(That’s why we’re here to prioritize the airports and seaports as these are the entry and exit points in the island.)

Tugade urged airport officials to organize the timeline for the reopening of commercial flights, and ordered port officials to reassign other Ro-Ro vessels nearby to ferry stranded individuals and assist in the delivery of relief goods.

“Kapag na-prioritize ang connectivity ng Siargao both on the air and sea, mailalagay natin ito sa tama. Otherwise, mawawala ang koneksyon mo sa mundo. On the medium term, yung tao at kargamento, kailangan ng mobility at connectivity,” he added.

(If the air and sea connectivity in Siargao is prioritized, we can put them back in place. Otherwise, they will lose connection to the world. In the medium term, the people and cargoes also need mobility and connectivity.)

Almost 99% of the 180,000 population of Siargao, including tourists, were affected after Typhoon Odette made landfall over the island last December 16.—AOL, GMA News