The Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is advocating to the general public the different measures to fight the Novel Coronavirus or NCoV which hit China particularly Wuhan City and Special Administrative Regions Hongkong and Macau, and that is now declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as State of Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr. in his message during the Monday Regular Convocation Program at the Provincial Capitol stressed that even though South Cotabato is still free from the NCov threat, the best way to avoid it is to practice healthy lifestyle in order strengthen the body immune system by eating healthy foods especially those rich of vitamin C, getting adequate sleep daily, proper handwashing practice, among others.
But Dr Aturdido discourages the public to wear face mask if they are not sick; only persons suffering from cough, cold and sore throat are advised to wear it to avoid spreading the virus.
After his message, Health Education Promotion Officer (HEPO) Hannah Ebeo, RN presented the Philippine Health Advisories on Cough Manners, Handwashing, How to Put on a Face Mask and How to Remove a Face Mask in a demonstration with nurses as actors as part of public awareness campaign.
IPHO has already prepared a Contingency Plan in case the NCov threat will strike South Cotabato and neighboring areas.
