PALO, Leyte — The Department of Health (DOH) has discouraged the public from buying surgical face masks sold by street vendors amid the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory syndrome (2019-nCoV ARD) scare.
DOH Eastern Visayas regional director Minerva Molon said these face masks may be contaminated if sold without proper packaging.
“Face mask that is sold on streets may be prone to contaminant making them unsafe for use,” Molon told reporters on Tuesday.
The health official asked that before buying, the public should think about why these products that are supposed to be available in pharmacies are being sold on roadsides.
She added it is not necessary for a healthy person to wear a face mask and instead “save the mask for the time when it is needed most”.
Hours after the DOH confirmed the first 2019 nCoV ARD case in the country, pharmacies ran out of stocks of face masks while ambulant vendors have started selling the product.
These vendors sell the disposable surgical face mask at PHP10 to PHP15 per piece, higher than the PHP8 suggested retail price. The N95 face mask is sold at PHP130 per piece, more expensive than the PHP110 standard price.
Molon said instead of wearing masks, the public should be more conscious about proper hygiene practice, maintaining a safe distance, and taking vitamins to boost one’s immune system.
Only pregnant women, senior citizens, those with colds, cough, and chronic disease are advised to wear face masks.
Meanwhile, in his visit here on Tuesday, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said policemen are ready to assist the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the price monitoring, hoarding, and profiteering of medical supplies such as face masks.
“On the part of the PNP, we will assist the DTI on price monitoring and maintaining peace in cases of panic buying. But basically, it is the work of DTI,” Gamboa said. “It is very important in a situation like this (that) we define the roles of every agency.”
The DOH reported on Tuesday that two more persons from Eastern Visayas are now under investigation while seven others are closely monitored after their recent travel to China and close contact with suspected carriers of the 2019-nCoV ARD.
Two new patients were confined at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in this city on Monday after manifesting flu-like symptoms.
The region has already four PUIs since the global outbreak of 2019 nCoV ARD with one already discharged. (PNA)
