By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay
In San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is reminding the public to stay hydrated and adhere to health protocols this Holy Week.
According to PDRRMO chief Broderick Train, effective Thursday, they have raised their alert level to red, with both provincial and municipal teams deployed in the field to promptly address any emergency situations.
“Despite light rain in certain areas of the province yesterday, today we’re facing intense heat,” Train remarked.
Train said the heat index in Antique is now at 44 degrees Celsius.
Pilgrims joining the procession Thursday afternoon are advised to hydrate and avoid overexposure to the sun.
Train also said the inter-agency committee has assistance desks in churches, terminals, and other convergence areas until Easter Sunday.
Integrated Provincial Health Office Information Officer Irene Dulduco said that the public is advised to wear face masks and do frequent hand washing as a preventive measure, considering that they have already monitored three cases of pertussis in Antique.
“The three are considered probable cases as we wait for their laboratory results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine,” she said.
They sought consultation in hospitals in Antique after manifesting signs and symptoms of pertussis such as runny or stuffed-up nose, low-grade fever, mild or occasional cough, and apnea.
“If you have a low immune system and suspect of having signs and symptoms of pertussis, you better stay at home or isolate yourself,” she said. (PNA)
