Attended by more than 400 participants via Zoom and with a select number of employees attending the assembly in an open-air venue within campus, members of the PLM COVID-19 Task Force presented the latest set of rules concerning infection control.
University Health Service chief Dr. Maria Ana Mariano said there are currently 7 active cases within the PLM community out of 31 confirmed infections since March 2020. She clarified that contact tracing data did not show that they caught the virus within campus grounds.
Dr. Mariano also reiterated the University’s health protocols that seek to prevent the transmission of the disease. Among the safeguards implemented are regular disinfections and rotational and skeletal deployment. People experiencing flu-like symptoms are told not to report to physical work.
Face masks and face shields must be worn at all times. Employees are also told not to eat their meals together and to maintain a distance even when talking to their colleagues. To further limit exposure, employees are advised to bring packed meals.
“The health protocols, health declarations, face masks and face shields –– these are our protection,” Dr. Mariano said.
So far, there is no need for a campus lockdown. Based on a recent executive order, this also needs to be approved by Malacañang before implementation.
Professors from the PLM College of Medicine –– doctors Merry Clamor, Maria Cristina Edquilag, and Jo-anne De Castro –– and task force co-chair Prof. Lynnette Cleto also briefed PLM employees regarding COVID-19 vaccines and dispelled concerns about allergic reactions and the net benefits of getting vaccinated.
“Balisa ang marami sa PLM dahil sa padami ng kaso ng COVID-19, kung kaya’t minarapat namin na tayo ay magpulong para po matugunan ang ating mga pangamba at agam-agam,” (Many here at PLM are anxious due to the rising COVID-19 cases, and this is why we decided to hold this assembly and discuss these issues)," PLM President Emmanuel Leyco said. “Our response is science-based and evidence-based. We thank our PLM COVID-19 Task Force for guiding us through this crisis.”
“Dumarami ang kaso sa loob ng Pamantasan pero lagi natin itong binabantayan. Ang protocols ay ipinatutupad,” he added. “Doble ingat po tayo.”
