The city government is eyeing the installation of makeshift disinfectant-spraying booths in strategic locations, as well as hospitals and public markets, to restrain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Puerto Princesa and Palawan, which are included in the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), have as of March 26, 2020, around 80 persons under investigation (PUI) with 9 still in hospital and 71 under home quarantine, according to the Department of Health (DOH) in MIMAROPA.
A positive case was logged involving an Australian tourist who had already left Palawan on March 17.
Richard Ligad, city information officer, said Thursday to Palawan News that a prototype has been installed at the City Coliseum on March 25 for testing and for approval of the City Health Office (CHO).
“Malaking tulong ito, unang-una ang kalaban nating COVID-19 hindi natin nakikita,” Ligad said.
“Balak natin na ipa-approve muna sa city health, nagpagawa tayo ng isa dito sa coliseum. Ngayon, kapag approved sa kanila yan, maglalagay tayo sa mga areas kagaya ng City Hall, new market, yong tatlong ospital natin para naman makabawas sa pangamba ng ating mga kababayan natin. Halimbawa sa new market, mamamalengke sila, pagkatapos nila, puwede sila dumaan doon magpa-disinfect para pagsakay nila sa sasakyan nila, pag-uwi nila sa bahay ay hindi sila masyadong mangamba,” he added.
Ligad said everyone can use the disinfection booths as long as they do not have asthma or any respiratory illnesses.
“Yon na nga, bawala kasi ito sa mga may hika at baka ma-trigger pa. Kaya pinapa-approve muna natin sa city health. Kapag approve sa kanila, yong mga areas na binanggit, maglalagay doon,” he said.
He said the City Engineering Office (CEO) was responsible for coming up with the prototype.
Ligad said someone gave him help regarding how it is designed and built.
He added that what made it hard for them to do was that hardware stores are closed.
“City engineering ang gumawa nito may design — may tumulong sa akin para sa design na yan pagkatapos ay ginawa ng engineering at medyo hirap tayo ngayon gumawa, pero unti-unti naman kasi nakikiusap tayo sa mga hardware dahil sarado sila,” he added.
Ligad also said the city health had already seen the prototype, but will still come out with the decision.
