(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


Sunday, May 16, 2021

VCO to help mild COVID cases recover faster, ease burden on health system–Nograles

Even with heightened restrictions in the National Capital Region Plus bubble to help continue the downward trend in COVID-19 cases in the area, efforts should be made to ramp out treatments for mild COVID-19 cases in order to help ease the stress on the hospital system in the NCR and its neighboring provinces.

This according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who over the weekend led the distribution of virgin coconut oil (VCO) to Level 1 hospitals in Bulacan tasked to treat COVID-19 cases with mild symptoms.

Four hospitals treating a total of 46 COVID-19 patients––Dr. Yanga's Hospital, Inc., Malolos San Vicente Hospital, Mary Immaculate Maternity and General Hospital, and La Consolacion University General Hospital––received VCO as part of a personal initiative of Nograles, who also co-chairs the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Nograles pointed out that "studies conducted by the DOST (Department of Science and Technology) indicate that VCO can help those with COVID-19 recover faster."

"Right now it would benefit our hospital system and even our medical frontliners if we could both reduce the numbers of those infected and reduce the treatment time of COVID patients," said Nograles.

"This way, the resources of our medical facilities will not be overly stretched beyond their intended capacities."

The Palace official said the government recognizes that health workers and medical frontliners in the NCR Plus Bubble "have had to work multiple shifts, and really work overtime to care for those who have contracted COVID-19."

"We recognize their dedication and the sacrifices they have made. So if we can do something to lighten their burden, dapat gawin natin. Kailangan natin magtulungan."

Prior to the four Bulacan hospitals, three other Level 1 hospitals in Bulacan likewise received VCO supplies: Ospital ng Guiguinto, Romel Cruz Hospital, and Guiguinto Polymed Hospital, Inc.

Nograles revealed that he has tapped the help of the media and other concerned parties to encourage individuals that have contracted COVID-19 to try VCO because of its potential benefits and practically zero side effects.

Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms are advised to take one tablespoon of VCO after each meal for three straight days. If tolerated well, they are then advised to double the dosage from the fourth day onward, until the patient tests negative. Patients may also rub VCO on their nostrils and gargle with VCO to help alleviate symptoms. ###