Naga mayor leads NCoV info drive

NAGA CITY --- Pursuant to the directive of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Mayor Nelson Legacion here has taken the lead as the Anti- Novel Corona Virus (nCoV) information manager in charge of tapping the media and all information disseminators about the necessary safety measures, prevention and control of the virus.

nCoV is currently creating anxiety and panic among the populace after its outbreak in Wuhan, China. World Health Organization (WHO) figures as of Feb. 3, 2020 show that there are already 17,391 cases of nCoV worldwide, 17,238 of which are in China with 361 deaths. Twenty-three countries have also reported nCoV cases affecting 153 people with one death.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-18 on Jan. 31, which tasked all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, DILG regional directors, and all others concerned to take the lead in information dissemination, specifically in coordination with local health offices regarding the guidelines and protocol relative to prevention and control of corona virus at the local level.

In a press conference, Legacion assured members of the local media that the city government is in closely coordinating with health authorities and other offices in compliance with the DILG order.

Dr. Vito Borja, the city health officer said that there is no need to panic specially that surgical masks are nowhere to be found.

“Maintain cleanliness, wash your hands frequently, stay away from people with cough and colds and see to it that you also have a strong immune system. These precautionary measures are only some of the things that we should do to avoid being infected with nCoV,” Borja said.

Borja also warned the netizens not to rely on posts, specially news regarding nCov if the source is not verified.

He said that updates related to nCov will only come from the chief executive.

The DILG memorandum also specifically recognized the help of the media in communicating facts about nCoV, what it is and what it is not and help in disseminating measures to prevent the said disease from further spreading.