A group called on Wednesday that proper disposal and separation of COVID-19 waste in homes should be implemented.
According to Ramon San Pascual, executive director of the non-profit Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia, all garbage should be segregated for the safety of garbage collectors.
He advised not to mix the used face mask with household waste.
The group also advised not to use disposable face masks while at home.
“Hindi po ‘yun necessary kasi nagiging basura nga po ‘yun. Bukod pa sa delikado sa posibleng mangyari sa mga waste worker, delikado rin sa ating kalikasan kasi plastik ‘yan,” said San Pascual.
“Hindi po practical, hindi advisable. Hindi sinasabi ng DOH na ang gamitin ng mga mamamayan ay mga disposable na face mask kasi marami naman pong alternatibo na reusable at washable,” he added.
Recently, seven children tested positive for COVID-19 after playing with COVID-19 waste in Virac, Catanduanes.
The children underwent antigen testing. They were ages 3 to 11 and have played with the used syringes disposed on the coast of Barangay Concepcion.
Group calls for COVID-19 waste proper disposal
The woman who scolded the children also tested positive for COVOD-19.
According to the barangay captain of Barangay Concepcion Anthony Arcilla, the children have been quarantined and given vitamins and medicine.
The case was filed against a diagnostic center for violating Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990.
The village council discovered that the laboratory representative who joined the session concerning the incident was also positive for COVID-19. As a result, the council members who were in close contact with the diagnostic center representative were isolated.
San Pascual reminded that there is a proper protocol for disposing of COVID-19 waste from hospitals and clinics.
“May proper protocol, and authorities are supposed to manage hazardous and infectious waste coming off from the pandemic,” he said.
Yellow plastic bags should be used when infectious waste; black plastic bags for general waste; and green plastic bags for food waste.
He said the Department of Health and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources also monitor the proper handling of waste in hospitals.
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