DAVAO DEL NORTE, March 23 (PIA)- Isolation rooms for COVID-19 persons under investigation (PUIs) and for persons under monitoring (PUM) are now being set up in provincial government hospitals and in public schools.

In an interview,Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Edwin Jubahib revealed that 15 isolation rooms for PUIs are set up at Davao del Norte Hospital-Kapalong Zone in Brgy Maniki, Municipality of Kapalong with complete provisions necessary in caring for persons with infectious disease.

Another 30 isolation rooms are being set up for PUIs at Carmen District Hospital in Poblacion Municipality of Carmen and 15 of which, are made available for use starting today, March 24, Jubahib said.

"Dahil nakita namin na 'short' na tayo sa rooms sa DRMC for PUI at ito ngayong rooms natin ang gagamitin for mild PUIs from Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC). (Because we have seen the shortage of rooms at DRMC for PUIs, our rooms will be used for mild PUIs from Davao Regional Medical Center.) " he said.

DRMC is one of only two government medical centers equipped with facilities and expertise on handling emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases such as the COVID-19 which the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared as "pandemic" as it has affected more than 190 countries.

He also revealed having suggested to Municipal and City Mayors in Davao del Norte to now seek permission from the Department of Education to use school classrooms as isolation facilities for PUMs.

"Kasi nakikita natin na tuwing may PUM na magiging PUI, mag increase ang PUMs at nakikita natin na hindi ito matatapos habang at large ang PUMs. (We have noticed that every time a PUM turns into PUI, there is a corresponding increase in PUMs, and we have projected this would not end if the PUMs remain at large.)," he told PIA.

"Now I decide na lahat ng PUM natin i-isolate na rin katulad ng PUI. (I now decide that all PUMs have to be isolated, same with the PUIs.)," he added.

He assured local government units of support, particularly food for families of those with isolated PUIs and PUMs aside from the support that the Provincial Government will be extending to indigents who have been displaced and out of jobs, due to circumstance attributable to COVID-19.

"Ito yong purpose natin na i-suport lahat ng nangangailan ng tulong galing sa gobyerno. (This is our purpose that we'd support all those needing help from the government.)," he said.

Jubahib yesterday afternoon met with heads of the Provincial Government to discuss strategies to stave off spread of COVID-19 in Davao del Norte.

As of 3:00 p.m. yesterday, Davao del Norte Provincial Health Office registered 31 cases of PUIs and 2,131 cases of PUMs, province-wide.

On the other hand, Jubahib raised to the Department of Health (DOH) his query whether it can allow a set up of a COVID-19 testing laboratory at the Davao Regional Medical Center located in Brgy Apokon, City of Tagum.

"Para po ang mga suspected persons ng COVID, dito na lang sila i-test; may building naman dito, ang kailangan lang yong laboratory," (So that suspected persons of COVID will be tested here, there is already a building, a laboratory is all what is needed) he channeled his query through Laging Handa Public Briefing of Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. (PIA XI, Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)