The provincial government here has provided an additional 2,601 free packs of medicines and vitamins as emergency aid to patients exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

This brought the total number of medicine packs distributed to 505 villages in the province to 13,944, since the program dubbed “Gamot sa Barangay para sa mga may Sintomas ng Covid-19” was launched last August 23.

As of September 23, a total of 4,154 medicine packs were given to those with Covid-19 symptoms.

The program is one of the provincial government’s measures in response to the rising cases of Covid-19 in the province.

It aims to provide preliminary treatment for individuals with symptoms of Covid-19 while private and public hospitals in Pampanga can no longer afford to receive more patients.

“Inuulit ko po, kung positibo po kayo sa virus ay ipahatid nyo sa inyong barangay captain ang resulta ng inyong antigen o RT-PCR test para makakuha kayo ng medicine packs. Ito po ay paunang lunas lamang habang naghihintay kayo na tanggapin sa ating mga ospital (Again, if you are positive for the virus, send the result of the antigen or RP-PCR test in your barangay captain so that you can get medicine packs. This is just preliminary treatment while you are awaiting admission to hospitals),” Governor Dennis Pineda, in his official social media account post on Saturday.

The medicine packs consist of five capsules of azithromycin, 14 tablets of cefuroxime, 10 tablets of prednisone, 20 tablets of paracetamol, 10 tablets each of vitamin D3, vitamin C+ zinc, and melatonin.

Each packet of medicines, which are prescribed by pulmonologist Dr. Isser Sugay, is good for seven days.

The governor reminded his constituents to strictly follow the minimum health standards to curb the transmission of the virus.

As of Sept. 23, the total confirmed Covid-19 cases in the province is 42,995 with 6,131 active cases.

The province’s recovery count has reached 34,670 while the death toll is at 2,194. (PNA)