Davao City – The Davao City government has intensified its community surveillance on influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) to establish if the Covid-19 cases in Davao City are decreasing.
Davao City Acting Health Officer Dr. Ashley Lopez said that one way to determine if there are unidentified cases in the city is to conduct ILI and SARI surveillance.
As of 6 P.M last March 23, Davao City has recorded 21 new cases after a zero Covid-19 case last March 22. The March 22 zero case was the second time for the city, according to Lopez
“Ato ning gipatuman aron atong ma-assure nga gamay na lang gyud ang kaso. That’s why our city mayor proposed the reinstatement of the ILI and SARI surveillance,” he said
ILI or influenza-like illness is described with cough and fever that is equal to or more than 38ÂşC with onset within the last 10 days. Likewise with SARI or severe acute respiratory infection, however, requires hospitalization.
Lopez has called on all Dabawenyos that if they know someone or if they have a cough, colds, sore throat, fever, and other flu-like symptoms to immediately reach out to their district health offices for a consultation.
“We are actively conducting consultations for ILI and SARI related symptoms so that ato ni silang ma-assess clinically ug matagaan og pagtagad labi na sa pag-provide og libreng RT-PCR test. So that eventually ato na gyud ma-confirm nga ato gyud napugngan o na-control ang kaso sa Covid-19 diri sa Davao,” Lopez said.
He added that if the individual is recommended to undergo a RT-PCR test after they are assessed. The RT-PCR test will be provided free and they will be transported to identified swabbing areas.
Davao City has established swabbing areas at Tibungco, Mintal, Calinan, Sandawa, and Sta. Ana. Lopez added that they also encouraged District Health Offices to provide swabbing in their districts to maximize the city’s efforts on conducting active case-finding and intensified ILI surveillance.
Also, a Mobile Swab Team was organized to conduct swabbing in communities or private agencies and companies where surveillance is needed after CHO has conducted an investigation.
The Mobile Swab Team headed by Dr. Evelino Buenaventura has previously conducted surveillance in the evacuation site of fire victims in Agdao on March 9. Out of the 300 affected families, three (3) residents tested positive. The close contacts of those who tested positive were already transferred to the city’s facility for quarantine.
“Naa pud tay mga pipila nga mga potential offices or organizations nga nagpakita og potential nga mga kaso. Mao nay tumong sa atong Mobile Swab Team to reach out for those agencies or areas wherein naa pa tay pipila ka mga reported covid cases,” he said.
Lopez has also called on to those in the workplaces or communities to immediately inform or call the City Health Office or the Covid-19 Operation Center hotlines if they have cases so that they can be provided with proper attention and action. (City Information Office | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)