Nutritionists sought to help prepare meals for COVID patients

CEBU, Philippines — A Cebu City councilor has asked Mayor Edgardo Labella to tap nutritionist-dietitians in the city to provide nutrition services for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients isolated at the barangay isolation centers (BICs).

Councilor Alvin Dizon said experts can help the city government in preparing proper and well-balanced meals for asymptomatic patients.

Despite showing no symptoms, Dizon said, patients need to boost their immune systems to fight the virus.

“One of the bedrocks of a strong immune response against the coronavirus is the crucial role that food, especially a well-balanced meal, plays a key role in helping COVID-19 patients to stay well and healthy during isolation,” he said.

According to the Cebu City Health Department (CCHD), about 90 percent of those who tested positive for COVID-19 are asymptomatic with no respiratory tract symptoms. Since they show no symptoms, no pharmacological interventions are administered, except checking temperature and monitoring of symptoms.

Dizon said it is important to provide patients at BICs with nutritious food, such as those with less fats, less salty and non-sugary.

Including fruits and vegetables and healthy beverages in their meals are also vital to keep them well and hydrated.

Moreover, Dizon is also requesting the city and BIC managements to use recyclable and environment-friendly food packaging as food boxes instead of styrofoam (polystyrene) plastic which is carcinogenic.

Dizon is set to introduce the proposed resolution with regard to the said requests during the City Council’s regular session on June 24, 2020.

These BICs are elementary and secondary public schools converted into isolation facilities for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.

As of April 2020, the city has established 52 BICs with a total of 3,000 beds.  KQD (FREEMAN)