Fernando directs PTF to intensify PDITR Strategy to prepare for COVID Delta variant

CITY OF MALOLOS- Even without a reported case of COVID-19 Delta variant in the province, Governor Daniel R. Fernando directed the Provincial Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to intensify the implementation of the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) Strategy during the 12th Joint Meeting of the Response, Law and Order, and Recovery Clusters of the PTF via Zoom application yesterday.

“Tinatalakay natin ngayon ang ating paghahanda sa Delta variant na kailangan po ay maging overacting tayo. Kasi kailangan natin magbantay dahil mas maganda na ang maagap kesa doon sa masipag. Hindi na dapat pagtagalin pa. Nandyan na, bantayan na natin ng todo,” the governor said.

Fernando believed that the province is doing a great job in terms of COVID response, and he wanted to strengthen the already laid out strategies because according to studies, the Delta variant is the most transmissible version yet of SARS-COV2.

“Kung pagbabatayan ang datos sa ibang lalawigan, I am convinced that we are doing a great job here in the province. Nananatiling pinakamababa ang ating lalawigan pagdating sa active cases. Pagiging maagap ang kailangang pairalin natin dito bukod doon sa pag-iingat natin. Pairalin natin ang paghihigpit sa minimum standard protocols,” the governor added.

According to the report of PTF Response Cluster Head Dr. Hjordis Marushka Celis, the province’s strategy to manage a possible surge should focus on ensuring that the healthcare system is prepared regardless of community quarantine classification.

She also suggested the implementation of the accordion policy to prepare for hospital surge, which is the conversion and reconversion principle that determines if a hospital should convert regular hospital beds for ICU beds to help manage cases and save lives by ensuring that there are enough beds for critical and severe cases.

Both Gov. Fernando and Dr. Celis agreed that speeding up vaccination rollout should be an utmost priority especially for senior citizens and persons with underlying conditions because if they remain unvaccinated, they will continue to be at risk of severe COVID-19 or hospitalization. ###