Sunstar-Bacolod
TERESA D. ELLERA
August 9, 2020

TALISAY City Mayor Neil Lizares has urged all hospitals in Bacolod City to coordinate with local government units relative to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients.

The call of Lizares, posted on the Facebook page of the Talisay Public Information Office, comes after a health worker identified as Patient No. 30 tested positive for coronavirus.

"Just recently, he was advised by the hospital management to undergo home quarantine as he was feverish. The hospital management failed to coordinate and inform us of this incident so we only knew of the condition of Patient No. 30 after his swab result was released. Had we known prior, we could have taken the necessary steps to better handle the situation at the earliest possible time," the mayor said.

Because of the report, Lizares ordered that "a portion of Purok Lily, Barangay Zone 10 be sealed off immediately until we are sure that no one got infected and in order to make sure that his family can be strictly monitored by the barangay."

"I will be writing a letter to all hospitals in Bacolod City requesting them to properly inform us of incidents of medical frontliners showing symptoms or being suspected of being Covid-19 positive. I am asking for proper coordination, communication and cooperation. These health workers are our own and we should protect them," he pointed out.

Lizares said that currently, Talisay City has Patient Nos. 22 to 29.

"All are in strict quarantine in our designated facilities. Just like Patient No. 30, Patient No. 27 is also a health worker. The rest, Patient Nos. 22 to 26 and 28 to 29, are all OFWs (overseas Filipino workers)," he said.

"As of this announcement, we also have Patient No. 31, a dialysis patient. She is also in strict quarantine," he added.

Lizares has asked his constituents for "prayers, understanding and cooperation."

"Let us help one another survive this pandemic. Practice proper handwashing, proper wearing of facemasks, and strict physical distancing. Please avoid crowded places and do not go out if you have no necessary transactions outside your home. Remind and gently reprimand those who do not follow the law. Let us educate our fellow citizens so we can heal as one," he said.