GOOD VENTILATION A WAY TO PREVENT COVID-19 SPREAD

BAGUIO CITY – (June 24, 2021) – Mayor Benjamin Magalong stressed the importance of having good ventilation in any location whether in homes, work places or any establishment in preventing the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“Open windows and doors or any opening to allow air circulation in your homes, offices and establishments,” the mayor advised adding that this is part of the minimum public health standards being promoted by the government to lessen the chances of contracting the virus.

The mayor plans to procure instruments that can measure air circulation in an area to help the city determine which establishments do not have enough ventilation to the detriment of their workers. 

This will guide these establishments in adopting engineering interventions to remedy the problem and ensure the health and safety of their employees.

The mayor said the city through the Sanitation Division of the City Health Services Office under Engr. Charles Carame validated the ventilation in one of the business process outsourcing (BPO) companies where a COVID-19 case outbreak occurred using a borrowed equipment from Texas Instruments company.

“Air was measured in one room and the Air Change per Hour (ACH) was found insufficient with 3.4 ACH.  Occupational safety and health (OSH) standard requires 8 ACH but experts say 12 ACH for a COVID-free room,” Carame reported.

The mayor urged businesses lacking in ventilation to adopt remedial measures or do necessary structural changes if possible to ensure that they can have proper aeration system in their spaces. – Aileen P. Refuerzo