DOH conducts MERS-CoV tracing, places

 DOH conducts MERS-CoV tracing, places

Zampen hospitals on Code White alert

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) - The Department of Health (DOH) has placed all the hospitals under its jurisdiction in this region on Code White alert , a DOH official disclosed Friday.

This came as DOH is conducting contact tracing of 12 individuals who were among the co-passengers of a Filipina nurse found positive last week of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV).

DOH Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) chief Dr. Norvie Jalani disclosed there are seven hospitals in the region that are under the jurisdiction of DOH. Three of the seven are based in this city.

Jalani said DOH Regional Director Dr. Nimfa Torrizo placed the hospitals on code white alert to ensure readiness to respond to any eventualities like the possible entry of MERS-CoV and other diseases.

Jalani disclosed that 10 of the 12 individuals who are subject of contact tracing are from this city and the other two are from the nearby provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Basilan.

She disclosed that they were together in the plane with the Filipina nurse allegedly positive of MERS-CoV who came from Saudi Arabia to Manila last August 29. (PNA) (090914)