Health-tech Innovations  Strengthen COVID-19 Management Efforts in the  Philippines

It has been aggressively using technology to educate and inform people since the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Department of Health’s website displays a map of the patients’ locations as well as the number of PUIs for 2019-nCoV ARD.

PLDT’s Smart Communications, a PLDT wireless company, is enabling free access to more relevant government websites.

On March 11, Smart, Sun, and TNT mobile phone consumers got access to the NDRRMC and Philippine Information Agency (https://pia.gov.ph/) official websites.

Both websites include official updates on PUI counts and locations, as well as tips on how to keep safe. They also serve as links.

The 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Centre is still free for Smart, Sun and TNT customers.

COVID-19 Tracker (https://ncovtracker.doh.gov.ph) formerly housed on Smart’s computers (www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph).

“The most important thing to remember is to constantly be informed.” According to PLDT-Smart Public Affairs Head Ramon R. Isberto, offering free access to these sites helps the public safeguard themselves, their families, and communities.

This is the first coronavirus death outside China, and the Philippines is a high-risk country. As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, the government is considering additional localized lockdowns. On March 8, the President declared a public health emergency, based on a request from Health. Activities like acquiring important logistical and supply items and reporting are simplified.

On March 12, the Philippine President declared the COVID-19 Alert Level System Code Red Sublevel 2. A 30-day period of strict social distancing measures approved by the Chief Executive began on March 15.

No Philippine hospital could confirm a viral infection before January 30th. The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa screened suspects for coronavirus infection before that date, but couldn’t find the novel strain