By Che Palicte
DAVAO CITY – The number of mpox (formerly monkeypox) cases here has climbed to six, which include four new infections, the City Health Office (CHO) reported on Friday.
In an interview, Dr. Sofia Corazon Zafra, CHO medical coordinator for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, said the four new cases are currently under close monitoring, and the close contacts of these patients are also being observed.
“They (close contacts) will not be isolated as per the memorandum from the Department of Health,” Zafra clarified.
Last month, the city had reported two confirmed mpox cases, one of whom passed away while the other recovered.
Dr. Zafra urged residents to avoid panic buying face masks, emphasizing that the public should primarily focus on avoiding close skin-to-skin contact, such as handshakes, hugs, and kisses, due to the ongoing threat of the disease.
Meanwhile, face masks have been made mandatory in Davao del Sur following the province’s first confirmed mpox case in Magsaysay town. Davao del Sur Governor Yvonne Cagas has mandated the wearing of face masks in indoor public spaces, including markets, offices, transportation hubs, churches, and businesses.
Face masks are also required in crowded outdoor areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained, as well as in all healthcare facilities, particularly when caring for suspected or confirmed mpox patients. (PNA)
