Latest status of the 4 Chinese tourists from the locked-down China province of Hubei who came to Tablas island

by Renato R Menrige Jr., MD

Jose Rizal M. Reyes

Feb 2, 2020·5 min read

(The following write-up regarding the maiden meeting of the newly-created Novel Coronavirus Special Committee held in San Andres, Romblon on the 1st day of February 2020 was written by Dr. Renato R. Menrige, Jr., the municipal physician of Calatrava, Romblon. — JRMR)

Some of the attendees during the 1st meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Special Committee held in San Andres, Romblon on February 1, 2020. (Photo by Dr. Deo Solidum Muleta)

Good morning everyone. I would like to share with you po the result of the meeting yesterday in San Andres. The Novel Coronavirus Special Committee (EO 050 by Governor Jose Riano). The Meeting was presided by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ederlina Aguirre in coordination with San Andres Mayor Arsenio Gadon, attended by the Provincial DOH, Municipal Health Officers (MHOs), & Chiefs of Hospital (COHs).

The 4 Chinese National are from Hubei, Xhaanxi Xien China. They arrived in Manila on January 27, 2020. They stayed in Manila for 2 days, went to Lucena on January 30,2020 to board Starhorse going to Marinduque where they stayed overnight in a hotel in Boac. On January 31, 2020 they arrived early morning in San Agustin and went around Brgy. Carmen, San Agustin, then took the jeepney going to Balai Azinan at 11 am same day. At 1 pm, the resort owner reported the Chinese guests to LGU Calatrava and since the Municipal Health Office is not yet capacitated to handle such cases, it was immediately reported to the Provincial DOH and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) for their immediate action.

Early evening on that same day the team from the Department of Health (DOH) and the PHO as well as the MHO MESU-Designate of Calatrava went to Balai Azinan Resort in Balogo, Calatrava to assess the Chinese Tourists from China, and based on the the Decision Tool for Coronavirus for Bureau of Quarantine and Hospitals they categorized the Chinese Tourists as Persons Under Monitoring (PUM)since they do not present signs and symptoms of respiratory infection but only history of travel from China within the 14-day period.

The Chinese PUM were advised self quarantine and were given instructions about the concern. However, on February 1, 2020 at around 7 am the Chinese PUM checked out from Balai Azinan and went to Footprints Resort in San Sandres taking the jeepney. In Footprints Resort they were not accommodated to check-in but were allowed to eat in the resort restaurant.

Again, the Calatrava MESU-Designate alerted the MHO who immediately called the Provincial DOH Officer (PDOHO) and the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) about the situation. The PNP Officers went to advise the tourists not to go away from the place, and later the PDOHO Team and the PHO arrived in the place and talked to the Chinese PUM, and later brought the Chinese PUM to San Andres Municipal Hospital taking the ambulance.

The Recommendations of the Committee are as follows:
1. The Chinese PUM will be placed in a Facility-quarantine in San Andres Municipal Hospital (SAMH) to complete the 14 days quarantine period.
2. The 4 In-patients of SAMH will be transferred to the Romblon Provincial Hospital (RPH) before the Chinese PUM go to the designated area of quarantine in SAMH. The SAMH will not accept hospital admissions until further notice.
3. Hospital out-patients will be accommodated in San Andres RHU.
4. The hospital duty of SAMH Staff will continue, observing proper protection measures with minimal interaction to Chinese PUM.
5. The Chinese PUM will be provided with a good place to stay, food, and modest comfort of home.
6. Signs of Respiratory Infections will be monitored daily.
7. The Provincial Government informs the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Embassy of China about the Chinese PUM.
8. The Provincial DOH shall inform the Regional DOH about the situation.
9. LGU San Andres led by Mayor Gadon and the SAMH Chief of Hospital Dr. Fineza will make sure the Chinese PUM are taken cared of while in quarantine.
10. The Provincial Government will issue an official statement on updates of the current situation so as not to create panic and worries in the community.

— Renato R Menrige Jr, MD
Municipal Health Officer / Calatrava, Romblon