MANILA, Philippines – Baguio City was hailed as model locality in the country's fight against the dreadful coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
For almost two weeks, there were no new coronavirus infections reported in Baguio.
As of April 8, the local government unit said total confirmed cases still 14, with 8 recoveries and one death.
Retired General Restituto Padilla, the spokesman of the National Task Force COVID-19, on Wednesday hailed Mayor Benjamin Magalong for the impressive achievement of Baguio City.
SEE ALSO: Summer blooms without the tourists
Magalong said they were able to keep the COVID-19 cases due to their immediate response and preparedness. The annual Panagbenga Festival in February and other mass gatherings were cancelled in anticipation of the adverse effects.
He added that artificial intelligence-powered CT scan analyzer placed at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center also helped to detect possible transmissions of the virus.
“In a matter of 7 minutes, made-detect na kung potentially COVID-19 case ito so nakapag-launch na agad kami ng contract tracing, na-isolate agad namin ‘yong patient,” Magalong said.
As a former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief, he gave nurses and doctors crash course to improve contact tracing.
“It’s an investigator skill so ‘tong mga nurses, doctors namin, they don’t have that investigative mindset so ang ginawa namin, pinag-crash course namin sa cognitive interviewing,” he said.
Despite this feat, the city mayor admitted they were still far from being virus-free. Thus, they are strictly implementing precautionary measures such as social distancing.
— The Summit Express
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| Rolling Market Caravan at Pacdal in Baguio City. Photo Credit: Public Information Office - City of Baguio |
For almost two weeks, there were no new coronavirus infections reported in Baguio.
As of April 8, the local government unit said total confirmed cases still 14, with 8 recoveries and one death.
Retired General Restituto Padilla, the spokesman of the National Task Force COVID-19, on Wednesday hailed Mayor Benjamin Magalong for the impressive achievement of Baguio City.
SEE ALSO: Summer blooms without the tourists
Magalong said they were able to keep the COVID-19 cases due to their immediate response and preparedness. The annual Panagbenga Festival in February and other mass gatherings were cancelled in anticipation of the adverse effects.
He added that artificial intelligence-powered CT scan analyzer placed at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center also helped to detect possible transmissions of the virus.
“In a matter of 7 minutes, made-detect na kung potentially COVID-19 case ito so nakapag-launch na agad kami ng contract tracing, na-isolate agad namin ‘yong patient,” Magalong said.
As a former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief, he gave nurses and doctors crash course to improve contact tracing.
“It’s an investigator skill so ‘tong mga nurses, doctors namin, they don’t have that investigative mindset so ang ginawa namin, pinag-crash course namin sa cognitive interviewing,” he said.
Despite this feat, the city mayor admitted they were still far from being virus-free. Thus, they are strictly implementing precautionary measures such as social distancing.
— The Summit Express
