Government steps up anti-SARS measures

After a Filipino nurse’s aide from Canada died in Manila last week, President Arroyo raised yesterday to a "higher level" the action taken by the government to prevent the killer virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) from afflicting the country.

Adela Catalon, 46, "probably" the first SARS-related fatality in the country, died of pneumonia in a government hospital in Manila two weeks after she returned to her hometown in Alcala, Pangasinan.

Her cancer-stricken father died yesterday at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Speaking at the graduation rites of the Mindanao State University at Matina, Davao City, Mrs. Arroyo said the government is conducting "follow-up monitoring" of people who had made contact with Catalon.

"As our commitment measures are stepped up to a higher level, I ask our people to strictly follow the rules of quarantine being imposed by the Department of Health," she said.

"Government agencies are already addressing the problem in full force. We will follow up each suspected case and see to it that the people are fully informed of developments."

Mrs. Arroyo said she has allocated P1 billion as "standby fund to fight SARS" and that she will consider the request of the health department regional director to upgrade the facilities of government hospitals in Davao City.

"A small amount that will make you, the young people and even the older people of Davao City and the Davao provinces, more confident that we can fight SARS together, if ever it should come to Davao," she said.

She has already ordered Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit to put up "world-class SARS facilities" in the cities of Davao, Cebu and Olongapo, which could be taken from the P1 billion "standby funds," Mrs. Arroyo added.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said yesterday there was no need yet for Filipinos to wear surgical masks as a precaution against SARS.

"Let’s wait for the advice of the DOH," he said. "They have not given such advisory. What we know is they are on top of the situation. It’s prudent for the DOH to ask that we wear masks. I think they will make the necessary announcement."

Bunye said the health department had already tracked down all the 254 people who had made contact with Catalon and that only four had developed a fever, one of whom was her already bedridden father.

"We view this with concern," he said. "This is a problem not only here but a global problem," he said. "But efforts are being undertaken both locally and internationally."

Bunye said the SARS crisis management committee headed by Dayrit would have to review their procedures following the death of Catalon.