Dr. Rowena Guzman-Marantan together with Councilor Jayella Dayag and the nurses of the RHU assured the ASAT students that Aparri is still free from NCOV during the NCOV Information Education Campaign held at the school gymnasium, today.

The said symposium is the town’s response to the alarming misleading information that circulated online last Friday when a said OFW and her child were allegedly infected by NCOV.

“Huwag kayong magpanic mga bata, kung anuman yung mga nababasa niyo dahil hindi lahat ng nababasa niyo sa social media ay totoo.” Councilor Dayag said.

“We are here to explain to you, kung ano ba talaga ang NCOV. Nandito si Dr. Guzman para ipaliwanag sa inyo kung anong meron sa NCOV at kung paano natin eto maiiwasan.” She added.

Dr. Rowena Guzman-Marantan also verified that the information that circulated last Friday on social media is not true because the persons alleged to be infected with NCOV did not show any symptoms of being infected with the said virus.

WHAT IS NCOV?

According to Dr. Marantan, the 2019 NCOV ARD was discovered last December 2019 from Wuhan China. The said virus was originally transmitted to humans because the people from that place ate exotic animals which is the source of the virus.

“The 2019 NCOV ARD can be transmitted through droplets. Ibig sabihin kapag bumahing ang isang taong may NCOV, tapos one to two meters lang tayo, at mahina ang resistensya mo, pwede kang kapitan ng NCOV.” Dr. Marantan explained.

THE SYMPTOMS

Dr. Marantan informed the students that there are four indicators of NCOV. The four indicators are any of the following: Fever 38 degree Celsius and above, common respiratory illnesses, travelled to places with NCOV cases and came in contact with people with the said virus.

“So apat na indicator siya bago mo masabing ang isang tao ay may NCOV-ARD. Ang pinakaimportante kasi dito is the travel history kasi maari siyang magkaroon ng exposure dun sa sakit.” Dr. Marantan explained.

“Kapag meron kayong kakilala na galing sa mga bansang may NCOV cases at may mga sintomas na nasabi ko, tawagan niyo kami sa Health Center.” Dr. Marantan urged the public.

Likewise, Dr. Marantan also informed the students that people who went to countries with confirmed NCOV cases that do not exhibit the symptoms are required to have mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days.

“As of now, okay naman si mommy (referring to the OFW) atsaka yung anak niya na sinasabi nila na nagpositive daw, hindi totoo yun. Ibig sabihin fake news yun.” She added.

NCOV PREVENTION

Among the measures suggested by Dr. Rowena Marantan to combat NCOV are boosting the immune system by eating nutritious foods, observing proper hygiene through frequent hand washing, and monitoring of body temperature and other symptoms.

“We can prevent NCOV by boosting our immune system by eating nutritious foods like vegetables, fish and fruits rich in vitamin C. And of course, frequent handwashing before meals, and after going to the bathroom, etc.” She said.

Aside from giving advices on how to prevent NCOV, the Municipal Health Unit then proceed to teach the students of the correct way of proper handwashing.