NSC-NL COVID-19 DIARY

Anthony James F. Almazan, RN, MAN

March 12, 2020 “The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers. The Lord will
protect you now and wherever you go”, a morning message from Sir Richard.

MMMHMC conducted a general assembly to inform employee regarding the

adjustment to be done in response with the COVID-19

President Rodrigo R. Duterte announced the implementation of Enhanced

Community Quarantine Luzon-wide starting on March 15, 2020 12 midnight.

With that news, I was reminded of the cancelled program activities in Batanes
(Cluster Meeting with NBS Coordinators) and La Union (Lecture on NBS at Don
Mariano Marcos Memorial State University at Agoo, La Union) as
recommended by Dr. Bing, to ensure our safety too. Also, Susielyn was texting
me earlier about the possible total lockdown of Luzon.
March 13, 2020 Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared Pandemic by the World
Health Organization.

Nonetheless, NSC-NL is under normal operation. NSC-NL releases it’s advocacy

on proper hand hygiene and safety precautions to detain the spread of the
said disease.

NSC-NL Staff were advised to bring home their Identification Card in

compliance with the guidelines released by the host
March 16, 2020 First day of the Enhanced Community Quarantine

Activation of Staff Contingency Plan through NSC-NL Memo No. 2020-009

assigning OIC Unit Heads and Laboratory Manager.

National Institute of Health requested for assistance on the transport of

Medical Foods to the NBSCC ITRMC; request was approved by the Unit Head
and Medical Center Chief.

Received NSRC Memo 2020-009 regarding the continuous operation on

Newborn Screening on its ideal time.

PDOs were tasked to monitor the transport of samples from NSFs, courier
operation, and activated a 24/7 hotline and medium to address program
concerns

Number of Samples – 733

March 17, 2020 NSC-NL released its Memo No. 2020-10 informing NSF to collect samples on
its ideal time as advised by NSRC
 Discussion of Area Heads to enforce skeletal schedule

Online Conference with NSRC and NSC Units Heads regarding the current
situation and plans in response to COVID-19 Enhanced Community
Quarantine

Number of Samples – 243

March 18, 2020 2GO Express cancelled their operation

Number of Samples – 103

March 19, 2020 Coordinated with PO1 Almazan assigned in Currimao, Ilocos Norte if it is
possible to ask for the assistance of PNP for the transport of samples. PO1
Almazan advised to coordinate with Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office.

A video presentation was posted to NSC-NL FB Page to remind NBS

Coordinators on the Proper packing and storing of samples due for sending.

Medical Foods were through LBC

Conceptualization of NBS: Newborn Screening Bayanihan System, a

collaborative strategy to facilitate the transport of samples

Number of Samples – 73
March 20, 2020 G6PD Confirmatory Testing Centers were advised to continue testing the
samples for G6PD. STFUN shall provide the G6PD Brochure to patients for the
meantime.

The request letter addressed to the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office
requesting for transportation assistance has been approved by the
Supervising Police Officer.

The request letter addressed to the RHU Badoc requesting them to serve as
drop-off points has been approved by the Municpal Health Officer.

Forwarding of Medical Foods to NBSCC ITRMC through LBC

Drafting of Guidelines on the Alternative Work Schedule of NSC-NL

Number of Samples – 200

March 23, 2020 Staff Huddle regarding Alternative Work Schedule of NSC-NL

Finalized the Interim Guideline of the NBS Bayanihan System

Approval of the Guidelines on the Alternative Work Schedule of NSC-NL by the

Unit Head and the Medical Center Chief
 Close coordination with the CHDs regarding the NBS Bayanihan System

Number of Samples – 238

March 24, 2020 Drafting of NSC-NL Memo No. 2020-011 regarding the NSC-NL Alternative
Work Schedule;

Receipt of Samples through PNP Badoc

A Pyschosocial Activity was conducted using the FB Messenger, wherein staff

were asked to share their thoughts about things they missed and things
learned.

Number of Samples – 278

March 25, 2020 Finalization of Work from Home Schedule (MWF)

Release NSC-NL Memo No. 2020-011 regarding the NSC-NL Alternative Work
Schedule; and NSC-NL Memo No. 2020-012 informing the NSF regarding the
days of operation of NSC-NL

Monitoring of Inventory for Budgeting purposes as requested by the FMO

Number of Samples – 10
March 26, 2020 Work from Home Day 1
March 27, 2020 DOH CHD 2 adapted the NBS Bayanihan System (Drop-Off Point to Drop-Off
Points); waiting for approval

Number of Samples – 421

March 30, 2020 The Province of Ilocos Norte declared Total Lockdown

Number of Samples – 633

March 31, 2020 First 2 cases of COVID-19 Positive in MMMHMC was announced

April 1, 2020 Transport of Samples from Batanes to La Union through the Philippines Navy

Number of Samples – 790

April 2, 2020 Mental Health PH Lecture on Coping with Anxiety and Uncertainty; Attended
by NSC-NL Nurses through Facebook

Receipt of Samples from Batanes by DOH CHD 1

April 3, 2020 Number of Samples – 262
April 6, 2020 Number of Samples – 562
April 7, 2020 Announcement on Extension of ECQ until April 30, 2020
April 8, 2020 Number of Samples - 712
April 9, 2020 Skeletal Team – Maundy Thursday
 Number of Samples - 721
April 12, 2020 2 Covid-19 Positive Patients were discharged from MMMHMC
April 13, 2020 Number of Samples - 689
April 15, 2020 Number of Samples - 416
April 17, 2020 Drafting of Concept Paper regarding NBS Contingency Plan for Regions 1 and 2

Number of Samples – 731

April 20, 2020 Number of Samples – 642

NSC-NL Number of Samples

Enhanced Community Quarantine
900
790
800 733 712 721
689
700 633
600 562
500
421
400
300 278 262
243 238 269
200
200 178
103
100 73 95
10 35 32
0 1 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 4 11 11
March March March March March March March March March March April April April April April April
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 30, 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 13,
2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020

Number of Samples Late

Number of
Late %
Samples
March 16, 2020 733 1 0.14
March 17, 2020 243 1 0.41
March 18, 2020 103 0 0
March 19, 2020 73 0 0
March 20, 2020 200 2 1
March 23, 2020 238 0 0
March 24, 2020 278 1 0.36
March 25, 2020 10 0 0
March 27, 2020 421 4 0.95
March 30, 2020 633 35 5.53
April 1, 2020 790 269 34.05
April 3, 2020 262 11 4.20
April 6, 2020 562 11 1.96
April 8, 2020 712 95 13.34
April 9, 2020 721 178 24.69
April 13, 2020 689 32 4.64
April 15, 2020 416 1 0.26
April 17, 2020 731 22 3.01
April 20, 2020 642 38 5.92