CL public hospitals placed on blue alert

By Hanah Tabios

The Department of Health Central Luzon Center for Health Development (DOH-CLCHD) on Feb. 9 placed all public hospitals in the region on blue alert status in line with the quarantine process of the Filipino repatriates from virus-infected Hubei province in China.

 “The DOH-CLCHD has declared code blue among all government and provincial hospitals; provincial, city, municipal health offices, and other health facilities in the region to immediately cater (to) the needs of repatriated OFWs,” the regional health office said in a statement.

This means that 50 percent of all hospital personnel are required to report for duty to provide medical assistance and services.

On early morning Feb. 9, some 30 Filipinos arrived from Wuhan City which is the ground zero of the novel coronavirus.

They were assisted by select health and foreign affairs officers upon their transfer to the Athletes’ Village in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac which was designed by the government as the quarantine facility for 14 days.

The DOH, along with the administration of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the provincial government of Tarlac, ensured that the repatriates are well accommodated and closely monitored amid the threat of the deadly virus.