DAVAO CITY — The city government of Tagum is trying its best to caution the possible second wave of coronavirus pandemic transmission due to the death of Fr. Arnel Celis, said Mayor Allan Rellon.
Fr. Celis is the first priest to die of coronavirus disease in the country.
As of this publication, Tagum City registers no active coronavirus case as the last person who turned positive has recovered but the city is adopting a pro-active plan to ensure the second wave can be prevented.
Rellon in an interview with Newsline said “Fr. Celis’ case marks the second wave of transmission here, but we are trying our best to prevent the escalation of the case, that’s why our contact tracing effort has been massive especially in the communities where he reportedly had a visit.
Rellon in an interview with Newsline said the Archdiocese of Tagum, the villagers and other contacts whom the late priest visited between April 11 to April 20 have been isolated which resulted in having 47 persons under monitoring, while six other cases are under investigation.
“We are grateful because all those who had contact with him have coordinated with us. They are now in isolation while others opted to be under quarantine in their residences (PUMs), but our task force is closely monitoring them,” he told Newsline.
“We are getting community support, everyone is cooperating as we prepare for the possible second wave of transmission due to Fr. Arnel’s death. We are isolating everyone and we are hoping no one turns positive,” he added.
Fr. Celis died on April 27, after seven-day confinement at the Davao Regional Medical Center (RDMC) in Tagum City. He died due to coronavirus secondary to cardiac arrest.
Contact Tracing and Monitoring
The city government has recorded 53 persons who have had contact with the priest; 47 of 53 are under monitoring while the remaining six are under investigation. Communication protocols were also established such as providing hotline numbers to residents and other individuals who may want to relay information regarding Fr. Celis’ whereabouts prior to his death.
The Convent personnel accompanying Fr. Celis and his watcher at the time of his confinement at the Tagum Doctors have already been isolated for monitoring.
As it is now, Rellon said “We are mapping and making a graph to hit up to the fourth layer of contacts. First, are the people he was with, second are those who were contacted by the people at the first contact level, and those contacted by the second people are those at the third contact level up to the fourth layer . . . we need to make sure that every contact related to Fr. Celis is traced,” he added.
Ground preparation:
Rellon who stands as the ground commander of the Task Force Covid in his city has established a command center and has been in operation 24/7 since March 15 with his city administrator who is also the disaster chief, city health officer, and the city legal officer.
The city government, according to Rellon is not taking chances “We must act together to prevent the second wave, God forbids! we are doing our best.”
The city government has prepared for the worst-case scenario and have identified public schools for possible isolation facility should the existing facility are filed up, but he said with the strong support to the people they are expecting that they can face the challenge together following a keen contact tracing and right medical responses.
Food ration:
Given the recent development, Rellon said they are now preparing for the third wave of food distribution which will be given to the identified 103,000 families.
The food ration will augment the families’ basic needs as the city government adopts a stringent measure to prevent the spread of the virus.
Arlan Solis Carcallas, a resident of Barangay Mankilam said the government has been giving rations to everyone and added, “sa City manghatag man gyud (the city really provides)”.
PLS READ: tagum-city-tracing-places-visited-by-priest-who-died-from-coronavirus
The Fund
The city government of Tagum has asked the City Council has passed a Supplemental Budget to augment the quick response fund for the pandemic.
Rellon said the provincial government through Governor Edwin Jubahib has been supporting all local government units in Davao del Norte.-Editha Z. Caduaya
