Patient’s death saddens Gullas but PUMs down

CEBU, Philippines — Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas extended his condolences to the family of the first reported COVID-19 patient in his city following the Department of Health’s confirmation of the latter’s death on Sunday.

At the same time, Gullas expressed relief that the number of persons under monitoring (PUMs) in the city has gone down.

The patient, an 84-year-old resident of Seaview Heights Subdivision in Barangay Lawaan I, was reportedly admitted in a hospital in Cebu City last March 25 as announced by Gullas earlier, but was never considered person under monitoring nor under investigation prior.

DOH confirmed the patient tested positive for the conoravirus on March 29, but the patient unfortunately succumbed to the disease a week after.

“Our deepest condolences to the family. I think the DOH has been transparent on telling the public what happened to the patient who had COVID from the City of Talisay,” Gullas told reporters yesterday.

Gullas assured that the local government has been tracing the contacts of the patient and that everyone has been accounted for.

The patient’s residence is still being cordoned at the moment since there are still members in the household inside undergoing home quarantine and whose movement restricted. Other members are also housed in a facility run by the city.

All members of the household are asymptomatic or not showing any symptom of the illness.

Gullas said he is still waiting for the advice of its City Health Department as to when the cordoning be lifted.

“Our City Health Office is in constant coordination with someone inside,” added Gullas.

The FREEMAN also learned that the city has already disinfected the area, including the entire village.

Heeding Garcia’s orders

Talisay is observing the executive orders signed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

“Ako, we are just basically putting in measures following the EOs of Governor Gwen when it comes to limiting the movement of people here in the city,” said Gullas.

On the brighter side, Gullas also said that PUMs in Talisay have already decreased in number as most of them have already completed the required number of days in quarantine.

As of April 5, Sunday, 430 PUMs from all three rural health units of Talisay have already completed quarantine and only 95 PUMs are left (45 international and 50 local). Also, only three PUIs and 21 others with influenza-like illness (ILI) are being monitored.

Relief

In another development, Gullas said the city continues to improve its efforts the provision of relief goods. The barangays have the discretion as to who will be given the relief goods, prioritizing the “poorest of the poor.”

The city government first distributed 15,000 sets of relief goods to residents last March 25.

The latest distribution was done April 1, in which three kilos of commercial rice, noodles, coffee and sardines were given to the residents. The distribution was delivered on a house-to-house basis.

Today, the city hopes to distribute 50,000 sets more. Other distribution dates have been set for April 14, 21 and 28.

Gullas is also encouraging all of the 22 barangays to also utilize their own quick response and disaster funds to augment whatever that the city has given to its constituents.

As to the Social Amelioration Program of the national government, Gullas said he still needs some clarifications from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regarding its guidelines before printing out forms and distributing them to the public to avoid misunderstanding and confusion.

The millennial mayor is also encouraging everyone to continue their devotion to the Sto. Niño and city’s patroness, Sta. Teresa de Avila, for guidance and healing.  JMD (FREEMAN)