PWC takes preventive measures against 2019-nCoV
In light of the global scare brought about by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), PWC has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of its members. Headed by Public Safety Officer Paul Dasmariñas, a special committee—the nCoV Task Force—has been put together to spearhead the planning and implementation.
The NCoV has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of a respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. With person-to-person mode of transmission confirmed alongside the increasing tolls of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide, the World Health Organization has designated the 2019-nCoV as a public health emergency of international concern.
The PWC Health Center has been on the frontline particularly for the information campaign conducted among students of the institution. In early February, elementary, junior high school, and senior high school students attended a seminar led by Dr. Marites Buxani at the RSM Events Center. A similar information drive is expected to be conducted for the college department this trimester.
Other measures taken by the institution are the utilization of the thermoflash, mounting of informative signages, provision of hand soap for the restrooms, intensive maintenance of school amenities, and the implementation of the sickness policy. Under the said policy, children showing symptoms are requested to rest at home. It further includes an information sheet about nCoV, outlining preventive measures such as keeping a hygiene kit and wearing face masks. Parents are also reminded of practices to observe at home such as the preparation of nutritious food and avoidance of contact with animals.
SHS faculty Dr. Gilbert Vergara also provided significant assistance to the program by filling in the tasked committee with updates on the recent developments of the case.
On February 10, 2020, PWC announced the cancellation of scheduled events designed to bring in a number of attendees in line with the Department of Health’s advisory to avoid participation and organization of huge public gatherings. Events such as the Art Market and Institutional Recognition have been rescheduled to a later date.
NCoV Task Force member Paolo Naval expressed hopes for the situation to instill in PWC’s students and other stakeholders strict observance of proper hygiene, consciousness in food intake, and scrutiny towards sources of information. “Above all, we want our students not to engage in discrimination and instead be part of the solution” he said “we must adopt a proactive attitude in addressing the issue”.
RCM