PGH healthcare workers under investigation for COVID-19
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 16)— Some healthcare workers of the Philippine General Hospital have been placed under observation for possible coronavirus disease infection, its spokesperson said Monday.
PGH Spokesperson Dr. Jonas del Rosario told CNN Philippines that some of the hospital's staff members were labeled as "patients under investigation" after showing symptoms.
"May mga empleyado kami or healthcare officers, 'yung iba po, under investigation kasi symptomatic sila, or they had travel history. So far po sa mga PUI na tinatawag namin, wala pa pong positive," Del Rosario said in an interview with New Day.
[Translation: Some of our employees or healthcare officers are under investigation because they are symptomatic, or they had travel history. So far, our PUIs have not tested positive.]
The official also disclosed that PGH on March 11 admitted a patient who turned out to be COVID-19 positive.
The state-owned facility over the weekend called for donations for medical supplies for its health workers, as the Philippines continues to curb the spread of the infectious disease.
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Del Rosario said PGH has enough stock for the next two weeks, but nevertheless renewed calls for donations.
"Pero patuloy po ang pangangailangan— lalo na para sa ating mga doctor, nurses, paramedical staff na nakikipag-interact sa ating mga pasyente, sa ER, ICU, at high-risk areas ng hospital," he added.
[Translation: We are continuously in need of these supplies, especially for our doctors, nurses, paramedical staff interacting with patients, those in the emergency room, intensive care units, and high-risk areas in the hospital.]
COVID-19, now considered by WHO as a pandemic, has infected more than 162,000 people in 146 different countries and territories, including China. Over 6,000 people have been killed by the disease as of Monday morning, according to the Johns Hopkins University's global tracker.
The Philippines has so far recorded 140 confirmed positive cases, including 12 fatalities.
