AC gov’t releases guideline response for PUMs of COVID-19

Posted on April 08, 2020 by Admin

ANGELES CITY– The Angeles City Government under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. released a new set of guideline responses for Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

All PUMs identified by the Barangay Health Emergency and Response Teams (BHERTs) and those apprehended from the checkpoints will automatically be transferred to the City College of Angeles (CCA) – the designated quarantine area, to undergo a 14-day quarantine. Before transferring, the PUMs will be asked to sign a waiver.

The Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO), City Health Office (CHO), BHERTs, and the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) will be in charge of pulling out PUMs and transferring them to CCA

Mayor Lazatin said the establishment of a quarantine area for PUMs aims to help contain the spread of the virus, and to address it properly.

Based on the guidelines on PUM response released by the City Government, “persons who show no symptoms but have a recent travel history to places with COVID-19 cases or those who have recent exposure to confirmed COVID-19 patients” will be considered as PUMs.

The guidelines also state that the homes of the PUMs must undergo a “24-hour open ventilation prior to LGU-mandated disinfection by the City Engineer’s Office and CENRO.”

“It is important to have a systematic guideline response for our suspected COVID-19 cases because we want everyone to be well informed about the actions of the City Government -- and how we can all contribute our part to help curb this pandemic,” Lazatin said.

Upon the patient’s arrival at the quarantine area, he or she will be monitored 24/7 by the City Health Personnel headed by the Rural Health Physician.

At the CCA, two kitchens have been established for the preparations of free meals in disposable containers for the persons under quarantine.

A no-visitor policy and wearing of surgical mask must be strictly followed at all times in the quarantine area.

In case a PUM develops COVID-like signs and symptoms such as fever, colds, cough, difficulty of breathing, and diarrhea, he or she will immediately be transferred to the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) also known as the Ospital Ning Angeles for further evaluation and management, the RLMMC is the designated COVID center of Angeles City.

“Our main goal is to have the least number of cases by treating patients immediately and following strict protocols on disinfection and contact tracing,” Lazatin said.

Moreover, Lazatin is also appealing to the public to strictly follow social distancing, proper hygiene, and other safety measures to help the local government address the pandemic accordingly.

“This pandemic affects all of us and therefore we have to show compassion by abiding to the set rules and regulations. By doing so, we would be many steps ahead of this outbreak,” he added.