Do you get dejavu?
On September 4, 2024, Daisy Villa, the Head of Cebu City’s Health Department, emphasized the need to prepare quarantine facilities at the North Reclamation Area, also known as the Cebu City Quarantine Center (CCQC), in anticipation of potential MPOX cases.
Villa stressed that unlike during the initial COVID-19 surge when schools were used as quarantine centers, it’s crucial to use dedicated isolation facilities now to effectively contain the virus.
Meanwhile, City Councilor Jocelyn “Joy” Pesquera, Chairperson of the Committee on Health, expressed confidence that the Cebu City Medical Center is equipped to handle MPOX patients, including suspected cases. She noted that the Department of Health has been actively providing updates and information about MPOX in the Philippines, and reassured the public that there is no need to panic at this stage, as it is not yet an outbreak.