Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) — The Department of Health will place healthcare facilities in the Calabarzon region under “code white alert,” which means services are in on-call status, from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5 for the upcoming elections and Undas.
“This is in anticipation of eventualities because of the pooling of people in designated precincts and cemeteries, and even those that are in travel because of vacation,” Regional Director Ariel Valencia said Friday in a statement.
According to DOH-Calabarzon, the code white status intensifies hospitals and medical personnel’s readiness to respond to any emergency.
The DOH said that Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Health (DRRM-H) and local government hospitals will be on standby. It added that it will activate its Operation Center/ One Hospital Command (OPCEN/OHCC) 24/7.
Meanwhile, it also reminded the public to practice basic health and hygiene especially during the holiday season where there will be a surge of people in some areas.
“Proper hand washing with soap and clean water, cough etiquette, and respiratory hygiene, and using personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, if necessary,” the DOH stated.
Valencia also warned the public to be wary of eating food, she said that if food poisoning is suspected, go to the nearest hospital. Signs of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and most suffer from diarrhea.
