The City Health Office has strengthened surveillance and existing measures to prevent the entry of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) into this city.

This came about after President Rodrigo Duterte has declared on Sunday a state of public health emergency in the country, following the first confirmed case of local transmission of Covid-19.

Dr. Dulce Amor Miravite, City Health Office chief, said that while the city remains free of Covid-19, residents must not let their guard down and help the local government monitor individuals with travel history outside the country.

“We still ask people to be vigilant because there is already local transmission in Manila and people are very mobile nowadays. Each one of us should do our part,” she said.

She said anyone may report suspected cases by calling 955-96-01, the hotline number of the City Health Office, which is manned 24 hours a day.

Miravite said they will place under monitoring anyone who has travel history even in countries with no confirmed case of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the City Health Office is closely monitoring a patient admitted in a local hospital since the person has history of travel, “although not in areas with travel ban”.

“As a step ahead, we monitor the patient because the person has fever,” Miravite said, adding the patient “is now in normal condition”.

Miravite advised the public to practice proper hygiene by frequently washing their hands with soap, or use hand sanitizer especially after handling money, as well as avoid using public pens in an office, and touching doorknobs.

“Avoid touching our nose, eyes and mouth once we handle money and if possible, avoid crowded places,” she said. (PNA)