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Published Friday, February 21,
2020
Puntarenas port increases
coronavirus preventionBy the A.M. Costa Rica staff The Costa Rican Institute of Pacific Ports said Thursday that new sanitary measures have been instituted to prevent the entry of coronavirus through people arriving through the Port of Caldera in Puntarenas. There is no report of a Costa Rican being affected by the coronavirus, said health authorities in the statement. Juan Ramón Rivera, president of the ports agency, said that this disease represents a complex situation in international port operation, so managers have determined to increase hygiene processes to prevent the risk of virus entry. “An average of 45 ships arrive in Caldera port every month, of which eight are from Asia, so it is more than evident to increase health surveillance and establish processes for the attention of potential cases,” said Rivera. All ships that arrive at Caldera port, in addition to presenting the usual requirements of the phytosanitary regulations of the country, must submit a plan of attention for suspicious cases, which includes isolation, medical report, and shipping company responsibility, said the port agency. In addition, the shipping company must make a report of any case that has been detected on the ship and also a report where the vessel has been during the previous two weeks. The captain must also submit another crew health report as well a report on the departure conditions of the crew and their daily health status. These reports must be made daily to the port operator in Caldera. According to the authorities, in the event of discovery of a suspicious case by port controls, the ship's captain, the corresponding shipping company, the Ministry of Health and other local authorities will be alerted. The procedure when finding someone who is positive for coronavirus means quarantining the crew and vessel, isolating the patient, freezing the movement of the ship and monitoring any port workers who have been exposed, said the port agency. In addition, an information campaign will be carried out for port workers, such as pilots, tractor operators, crane crew, among others. The goal is to report important information on this disease, its symptoms and recommendations to avoid contamination.  This is the second public organization that takes measures to avoid coronavirus infection. Thursday authorities of the Ministry of Health, together with teachers from elementary and high schools, launched an education campaign to remind students of the importance of hygiene habits as a weapon to prevent the spread of viruses. According to the ministry, due to recent alerts issued in other countries students should increase hygiene techniques like hand washing and covering sneezes. “Children must wash their hands correctly and must know the technique of sneezing, so that they also share this information in their homes and, in this way, reduce the spread of the respiratory virus and diarrhea diseases,” said Daniel Salas, minister of Health. Also, the authorities issued the correct process in case of detecting a possible suspected case of coronavirus at school. Last week the ministry announced the application of prevention measures against the coronavirus, based on the indications, monitoring and updates of the World Health Organization. Among the actions are: epidemiological surveillance procedures, detection, notification, investigation, outbreak attention to possible suspicious cases in airports, as well as disclosure of information for the hotel sector and car rental owners. Also, emphasis will be given to education and prevention measures for the general population, the ministry said. The Tourism Institute said that contingency plans have been updated to address any possible suspicious cases entering the country at airports. Also, information is being displayed on terminal screens about the coronavirus so that passengers can communicate any related symptoms to the authorities. Items such as gel alcohol have been placed in high traffic areas such as bathrooms. According to Civil Aviation authorities, the airlines have clear instructions on how employees are to act and actions they should carry out with the Ministry of Health in case they detect a person who has respiratory symptoms on flights. "In the international airports, isolated areas have been enabled for the timely assessment of a patient," said authorities in the statement. "If a suspicious case is found, they are prepared to track all the passengers on the plane."  According to the most current information from the World Health Organization Thursday night, 76,722 coronavirus cases have been reported around the world, and 2,247 patients died. In China, 75,464 cases were confirmed, and 2,236 patients died. The mayor number of cases confirmed outside of China are: - In the Diamond Princess cruise liner docked in Japan, 634 cases with two deaths Thursday. - In S. Korea 156 cases and one death reported Thursday. - In Japan, 94 cases, and one patient died. - In Hong Kong, 69 cases and two patients died. - In Taiwan 24 cases, and one patient died. - In France 12 cases, and one patient died. - In The Philippines three cases, and one patient died. - In Iran five cases, and two patients died. In other countries, with cases reported with no patients dead are: Singapore, 85; Thailand, 35; Malaysia, 22; Australia, 17; Germany, Vietnam and the U.S., 16 cases each; Macao, 10; U.K. and U.A.E., nine each; Canada, eight; India, three; Italy, four; Russia and Spain, two cases each, and one case confirmed in Belgium, Cambodia, Egypt, Finland, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Sweden. ------------------------ Are you taking any steps to avoid the virus?? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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