As Covid 19 continues to ravage our country, we are not exempted from its deadly effect. Many of our constituencies are affected and even some have died. We are all praying that our merciful God will end this pandemic, but at the same time, we are submitting to His purpose and plan and continue to trust His goodness.

As a community of believers and as Nav Family, we need to journey together in this time of difficulty. At the start of the pandemic, many gave to our benevolent fund to help those who suffered physically. However, the fund is draining slowly as many are getting sick.

In our recent Overseer meeting, we recognized the importance of helping one another at the local ministry level. We prayed and discussed what can be done by communities when someone needs help. Here is the summary of our suggestions –

A. CONTACT NUMBERS:

Have contact information of nearby or online Covid doctors, oxygen supply rescue and ambulance in your area, hospitals, and barangay office.

B. SELF/FAMILY CARE:

1. Build strong immune system – exercise, get sunshine, take Vit D & C, eat healthy food, etc. Go outside the house when appropriate to be refreshed. Sleep at least 8 hours a day.
2. Observe proper health protocol – mask, face shield, social distancing, washing of hands, take a bath immediately upon reaching home when you go out in public places.
3. Mental Health – Keep connecting with others for encouragement and socialization even virtually. This can help avoid being depressed.
4. Take vaccine according to your faith and conviction.

C. WHEN MILD SYMPTOMS SHOW UP:

Sore throat, fever, dry cough, body pain/fatigue, headache, and LBM. It is recommended to seek professional help within five days from start of symptoms-which means medication must be started immediately.
Following prescription package has been found to be very effective in treating covid patients during the first five (5) days of symptoms:

1. Colchicine 0.5mg (1xday) for 1 month
2. Azithromycin 500mg (1xday) for 5 days
3. Dexamethasone 4mg (Decilon forte) 1 ½ tab once a day for 7 days
4. Ivermectin 15mg, 2-3 capsules on 1st day, 1 capsules 2xday succeeding days
5. Symbicort 160/4.5mg, 2pops 2xday for 1 month
6. Vit C and Zinc (Immunpro) 1 tab 2x a day
7. Vit D 1,000mg 2 caps once a day
   Note: any two of these symptoms shows up, treat it as covid. 

D. WHEN WITH SEVERE CONDITIONS:

Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, low O2 saturation (below 93%), 7-10 days from 1st symptom

1. When needed, ask the help of the Barangay which is mandated to help bring covid patients to quarantine facilities or to the hospitals. These are services offered by the government. It is also important to find out the capacity and ability of your local facility. Call nearby hospitals to help the LGU ambulance where to bring the patient. Covid patients course through the LGU will incur very minimal expenses.
2. Seek help from your local Nav community who can help arrange to bring a covid patient to the hospital. It is important to exercise safety. There are public and private ambulances which are dedicated for this purpose including barangay ambulance. If in any case somebody offers to personally bring a covid patient to hospital, proper PPE must be worn. Covid patients brought to the hospital without passing through the LGU will incur a substantial amount for medical expenses.

E. AS LOVING COMMUNITY:

1. Raise reserved covid fund in your area to be used to help Nav covid patients.
2. Inform your Overseers/Regional Coordinator of any severe incidents among your constituencies. In turn, the Overseers will also inform the National leadership for possible help.
3. Assign someone as the coordinator of Navs community covid response in every PLC/region.
4. Maintain a PLC chat group for easy communication and coordination for help.

PhilNavs Leadership Team

The medical advice was formulated with the help of one of our alumni doctor who takes care of Covid patients, Dra. Delia Caracut.