3 evacuees test positive for COVID as Mayon shows no signs of letup

By Rio N. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz

AT least three Mayon Volcano evacuees who fled their homes to safer ground have contracted COVID-19, a local official said on Monday.

Meanwhile, the government has so far released P101.1 million worth of assistance to families affected by Mayon’s continuing unrest.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) recorded 102 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours.

In a related development, the Ako Bicol party-list spearheaded the construction of a water supply system at a school temporarily converted into an evacuation center in Albay.

Eugene Escobar of the Albay Public Safety and Management Office (APSEMO) said the three evacuees who tested positive for COVID were isolated together with their close contacts.

Escobar gave assurance however, that none of the affected evacuees were in critical condition, and were being closely monitored and given medicines regularly.

A total of 2,242 evacuees have sought medical consultation for cough, colds, fever, sore throat, wounds and bruises, and high blood pressure, among others, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported.

“Doon po sa health surveillance, nakita po na isa sa pinakamataas na bilang ay yung mga sipon, ubo, o yung mga respiratory-related illnesses, again expected natin ito dahil po sa mainit po pero umuulan pa rin dito sa amin, nakaexpose din po sila sa environment,” Escobar said.

“Although nasa loob po sila ng mga building, medyo mainit din po kaya isa yun sa dahilan po,” he said.

Escobar also noted that poor ventilation in the evacuation centers could also have caused illnesses among the evacuees.

He noted that there were around 5,700 families or some 20,000 persons in evacuation centers in the province.

Efforts were being exerted bring more drinking water to the evacuees, he said.

The assistance included distilled water, drums, family food packs, kits, tents, financial and fuel assistance, animal feeds, hygiene kits, knapsack sprayer, laminated sacks, modular tents, malongs, nets, rice, sleeping kits and tarpaulins.

“It’s an offshoot of a normal medical check-up,” Andres said, adding that the Secretary will be back soon.

But Andres did not give details about Remulla’s medical condition. “It’s something the Secretary would prefer not to discuss publicly,” he said.

Remulla, 62, was given the DOJ portfolio on June 30, 2022, thereby relinquishing his election as Cavite congressman in the May 9, 2022 polls.

“Every person of that age should have a regular check-up and adjust lifestyle in accordance with his age. But this guy won’t stop. He is too energetic for his own good,” Andres said.

He said that Remulla will be holding video conferences with DOJ officials even while on leave.