Community-oriented health care during a COVID-19 epidemic: A consensus statement by the PAFP task force on COVID-19
- Author:
Maria Victoria Concepcion P. Cruz
1
;
Karin Estepa-Garcia
1
;
Lynne Marcia H. Bautista
1
;
Jane Eflyn Lardizabal-Bunyi
1
;
Policarpio B. Joves, Jr.
1
;
Limuel Anthony B. Abrogena
1
;
Ferdinand S. De Guzman
1
;
Noel L. Espallardo
1
;
Aileen T. Riel-Espina
1
;
Anna Guia O. Limpoco
1
;
Leilanie Apostol-Nicodemus
1
;
Ma. Rosario Bernardo-Lazaro
2
;
Ma. Louricha Opina-Tan
2
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: COVID-19; Noncommunicable Diseases; Quarantine
- From: The Filipino Family Physician 2020;58(1):15-21
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Initial Planning:Statement 1: A Community-oriented Health Care Plan that contains tasks and activities related to the community organization, environment, health care and social processes in order to mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 epidemic on the community should be developed.
Statement 2: The plan should also include adjustments needed to continue the delivery of other health services i.e. maternal and child health, immunization, treatment of other communicable and non-communicable disease but with strict COVID-19 transmission precautions.
Adjustment in the Community Organization and Environment:Statement 3: A local task force should be organized to develop and implement the community health plan. The task force should be recognized and supported by the whole community. Statement 4: A facility in the barangay that can be used for isolation in case that a member will be diagnosed to have mild COVID-19. A hospital facility for referral of high-risk cases should also be identified and an emergency referral and transport plan should be established. Statement 5: All community health workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment in the process of performing their community health work. Statement 6: Households in the community who have members at high-risk i.e. more than 60 years old, with existing chronic illness or other life-threatening condition should be identified and advised to take extra precautions i.e. personal hygiene, wearing mask and physical distancing. Statement 7: During the declared community quarantine period by the community or higher-level authority, all community members and household should be advised to stay at home, limit celebrations and community gatherings
Performance of Routine Tasks and Activities:Statement 8: A community-directed information, education and communication (IEC) plan should be developed and implemented for the following: a) Informing every household in the community on the basic and accurate information about COVID-19 and the community plan. b) Encouraging everyone to practice personal hygiene that includes regular and appropriate hand washing, daily bath, coughing and sneezing etiquette, wearing of mask, minimizing hand contact with eyes, nose and mouth and strict personal use of eating utensils, bath towels, etc. c) Encouraging everyone to clean everyday frequently touched surface like doorknobs, light and appliance control switch, gadgets, armchairs and tabletops. Cleaning agents can be ordinary detergents and water or 70% alcohol. d) Encouraging everyone to report and seek help to the community health worker if a household member is exposed and developed mild symptoms of COVID-19
What to Do When a Member or Household is Exposed or Diagnosed COVID-19:Statement 9: If there is a household whose member is exposed to a COVID-19, the person should be encouraged to stay home preferably in a room or area adequate for isolation, wear mask and maintain at least 2 meters physical distance from other family members. Statement 10: Other household members should be advised to watch out and monitor for the appearance of symptoms like fever, colds and cough. If the person is low risk but there is difficulty of breathing or worsening of symptoms or if the person is high risk i.e. elderly or with existing chronic disease and symptoms appear, they encouraged to inform the community health worker and facilitate the necessary referral and transport arrangement to the hospital. Call first before going. Statement 11: If the symptoms are mild, continue home isolation or in the isolation facility identified by the community, take over-thecounter medications like paracetamol for fever, increase water intake and ensure adequate nutrition, sleep and rest. Family members and community health workers are encouraged to provide psychological and social support to isolated patients. Discontinuation of isolation can be done if symptoms resolve within 14-21 days
Epidemiology and Surveillance:Statement 12: The municipal or city health office should be provided daily with a situation report of the implementation of communityoriented health care for COVID-19. Situation report should include: a) The number of exposed, number of diagnosed cases, number of mild cases, number of cases referred to the hospital and number of cases recovered or died in the community. b) Brief description of best practices - Full text:PAFP-Journal_June-58-1-2020-pages-19-25.pdf
