More COVID-19 positive cases; deaths reported; DOH calls for volunteers
MANILA – While the Philippine General Hospital has prepared 130 beds for COVID-19 positive cases, the Department of Health assured the general public the 400 or so patients confined at the University of the Philippines’ institution will remain said as the COVID wing will have a separate entrance and emergency rooms as well as Emergency Room doctors, nurses and other medical professionals.
DOH Asst. Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said PGH will accept referrals from other hospitals within the National Capital Region.
In a press briefing late Friday afternoon, Dr. Vergeire said they are calling on medical volunteers, from doctors, nurses, medical technologists and other professionals to help their organic personnel in attending to the COVID-19 afflicted individuals. Interested professionals need to access the website for volunteers at the Department of Health portal.
As of 4:00 P.M. today, Dr. Vergeire said there were 96 new COVID-19 positive cases for a total of 803 cases nationwide, 791 tested negative, with 31 recovering from the illness and 54 deaths including several medical professionals. About 2,147 tests have been conducted to date.
She also reported on the refurbishing being made at the Quezon Institute, a facility under the Philippine Tuberculosis Society to be a community quarantine installation. She added QI will attend to asymptomatic cases as well as persons under investigation with mild symptoms.
About 30 public and private laboratories nationwide have also expressed their intentions to help in the screening of COVID-19 cases. Among these are the St. Luke’s Medical Center both in Quezon City and Taguig City, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City and several other facilities.
She also explained they are now working with the Marikina City government to establish their laboratory that ought to be safe from contamination and risks to personnel and the community.
“There should be restricted access to personnel because they will be dealing with live virus,” Dr. Vergeire added. (Melo M. Acuña)
USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire. (Screen grab from PTV4)
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