All hospitals and rural health units (RHUs) in Western Visayas are on heightened alert as a precaution against the novel coronavirus.

The Department of Health (DOH-6) issued a memorandum declaring a “Code White Alert” due to “high concern regarding cluster of new corona virus pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China and with suspected cases in our country specifically in Kalibo, Aklan.”

The declaration, based on Memorandum No. 14 signed by Dr. Marlyn Convocar, DOH-6 director, took effect on Jan. 22.

A “Code White Alert” means that all hospital personnel are on standby for deployment and augmentation for medical and other services as necessary.

“Also during a Code White Alert, emergency service, nursing and administrative personnel residing at the hospital dormitory shall be placed on an on-call status for immediate mobilization,” it added.

Convocar “encouraged the region’s health facilities to be vigilant.”

She also requested them to report immediately all suspected within 24 hours on a daily basis to their respective Provincial Disease Surveillance (PDO) officers.

The memorandum was sent to governors Rhodora Cadiao of Antique, Florencio Miraflores of Aklan, Esteban Evan Contreras of Capiz, Samuel Gumarin of Guimaras, Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo, and Eugenio Lacson of Negros Occidental.

The new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like virus has so far killed at least 56 people and infected almost 2,000.

The mysterious respiratory virus was traced by health officials to a seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. 

Recently, three Chinese tourists bound for Boracay Island were brought to Dr. Rafael Tumbukan Provincial Hospital in the province of Aklan after they showed symptoms of the mysterious SARS-LIKE illness.

Cornelio Cuachon Jr. of the Provincial Health Office, the three had mild cough, fever, and colds when they arrived at Kalibo International Airport on separate dates.

The three were all discharged from the hospital.

Also, a 24-year-old female flight attendant, who has a travel history in Wuhan City, voluntarily submitted herself to medical tests at the provincial hospital of Aklan. She was discharged on Wednesday, Jan. 22.IMT