Omicron plan prods budget availability for emergency use

As part of its contingency plan against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Omicron variant, the city government must ensure that it has an available budget for emergency purposes and continue to assess the needs of its triage facilities, among others.

Recently, the Department of Health confirmed the presence of two Omicron cases in the country joining the ranks of other nations in a similar situation.  The latest variant was first detected in South Africa.

In the regular management committee meeting, Dec. 7, of local officials led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office chief Antonette Anaban said the plan tasks the City Budget Office to provide updates on the city’s available funds for emergencies caused by Covid-19 and its variants.

The plan also restricts unvaccinated household members to their homes and seek medical assistance if feeling Covid-19 symptoms like fever, cough, tiredness, loss of taste or smell, and more.

It’s goals are to suppress transmission; reduce exposure; protect the vulnerable; reduce mortality and morbidity from all causes, and save lives, Anaban said.

The plan’s priority areas are intensified risk communication; proactive community cooperation;  ramp up vaccination of priority groups; stricter border control; continue granular lockdowns; monitoring of critical supplies and equipment; and mandatory facility-based isolation/quarantine.

Strict monitoring of compliance with minimum public health standards; activation of contingency plans of hospitals including their accordion policy; restrictions of unvaccinated individuals in their homes unless with valid reasons; patient transport service; regulate mass/social gatherings; contact tracing; emergency hiring of health workers; tourism events; triage resources; and Covid-19 appropriation are the other areas. – Gaby B. Keith