Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. said on January 4, 2022 that COVID-19 patients here who are either fully vaccinated or not may be allowed to undergo home isolation pursuant to the guidelines released by the Department of Health.
The Angeles City government’s task force has adopted the DOH home quarantine guidelines through Resolutions Nos. 02 and 03, explaining that either fully vaccinated COVID-19 patients or not may only be allowed to conduct home quarantine provided they have adequate facilities at home — including an exclusive bathroom.
According to City Health Officer Dr. Verona Guevarra, this will be assessed by the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams once coordination with the patient is done.
“Ito po ang importansya ng bakuna, ang pagbibigay proteksyon laban sa virus, at kung sakali mang matamaan, kayang-kaya pong malabanan,” Guevarra said.
Dr. Guevarra also said that most patients who are allowed self-isolation are those who have mild symptoms.
Once a patient, either fully vaccinated or not, is considered to have severe symptoms, he/she will be automatically transferred to the city’s COVID-19 center at the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center by personnel of the Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
“Kung wala pong capability ang patient for home isolation, susunduin din po [natin] sila to undergo quarantine at our designated facilities,” Guevarra said.
“There will be strict monitoring by the BHERTs kung naka-self-isolate man ang pasyente,” she added.
Upon the instructions of Mayor Lazatin, the RLMMC will remain the city’s COVID-19 center, with rooms available at the two partner hotel facilities.
Guevarra also explained the difference between isolation and quarantine.
“Ang isolation ay para po sa mga taong may COVID-19. Ang quarantine naman po ay para sa mga close contact o na-expose sa mga taong may COVID-19,” Guevarra said.
With this, the guidelines also specifically explained the required number of days for isolation and quarantine.
Isolation for asymptomatic fully vaccinated patients will be 10 days after being tested positive.
If symptoms persist during isolation, the patient will have to stay 10 days after the symptoms manifest.
Meanwhile, for close contacts who are fully vaccinated, they will be given 7 days to quarantine themselves upon exposure. However, for those not fully vaccinated or those who did not receive their second dose yet, they will spend two weeks of quarantine upon exposure.
The Angeles City government has established designated 24/7 hotlines for COVID-19 report and response.
