Returning residents of Burauen, Leyte are now allowed to continue the mandatory quarantine at home or in the designated isolation units of their respective villages.
Mayor Juanito Renomeron said Tuesday this was the recommendation of the local inter-agency task force addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic to meet its resources, including the availability of quarantine facilities.
Renomeron signed Executive Order 28-2020 imposing the new quarantine protocols covering locally stranded individuals, returning overseas Filipinos, and Balik Probinsya beneficiaries effective January 1.
As directed, all returning residents must undergo the first seven days of the 14-day mandatory quarantine in the designated facilities of the local government unit located at the Burauen Community College, Burauen Comprehensive National High School, and local government unit compound.
He said those with negative swab results would be transferred to their respective barangay isolation units (BIU) or any available BIUs in the other villages, while those who turn positive would be admitted to the local isolation unit, district hospital, or the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center here, depending on the severity of the case.
“The mandatory RT-PCR (reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction) testing will be conducted by the provincial health office through the district hospital here within five to seven days from their arrival,” Renomeron said in a statement.
The local government has also allowed home quarantine for returning residents, including minors, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities, provided that the identified house for quarantine is not located in a crowded community.
“The rural health unit (RHU) will check the condition of the house, which must also have a separate room with its own restroom. A health personnel would be assigned to monitor those under home isolation twice a day,” he said.
Renomeron added that the family of the returnee must provide their food during the quarantine period, including the beddings and utensils.
As of January 1, the town has recorded a total of 169 coronavirus cases, including 158 recoveries and one death, based on the RHU monitoring report. (PNA)
