By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

Gastroenteritis cases have reportedly reached 302 as of 9 p.m. of Friday.
Dr. Isebong Asang, Program Manager of Community Advocacy Program said that although daily cases of gastroenteritis are declining, the total cases are increasing.
Asang said as a preventive measure, the ministry has cordoned off the Medical Ward last Friday at the Belau National Hospital for the gastroenteritis patients.
Patients admitted to the hospital for gastroenteritis are not allowed to accept visitors, another measure instituted to prevent the spread of the illness.
Asang said gastroenteritis patients are asked to stay in their room and patients who come to the Out-Patient Department or the Emergency Room and showed symptoms are immediately taken to the rooms designated for gastroenteritis so they don’t have to wait with the other patients.
Asang said 1 out 4 patients who are diagnosed with gastroenteritis are admitted into the hospital.
Asang again stressed that proper handwashing is the key against the outbreak so is cleaning bathrooms and cooking area with high concentration of bleach.
She said it is also important that the community wash and disinfect bathrooms, toilets, door handles and other surfaces such as sinks with chlorine based cleaning products.
Asang said because the viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious the Department of
Environmental Health is asking all food handlers to refrain from cooking or handling food until 48 hours after they are well.
The ministry has also sent public announcements to all government agencies, ministries, schools, both private and public including Head Start private companies.