MANILA – The Philippines on Saturday confirmed 47 new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), raising the total number of patients afflicted with the illness to 111.
Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson
Maria Rosario Vergeire said that majority of the new cases were confined in
hospitals in Metro Manila, prompting the government to restrict travel to and
from the region.
University of Santo Tomas’ official newspaper The Varsitarian tweeted on
Saturday evening that the UST Hospital has two confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, meanwhile, has limited its services
after its health personnel were exposed to a COVID-19 patient – an 88-year-old
Filipino identified as Patient 37, who died earlier this week, Vergeire said.
She added that the hospital currently has 13 patients under investigation,
including 12 health workers. Its hospital operations are currently limited for
in-patient and emergency cases only.
“Prior to the confirmation of the PH37’s diagnosis, healthcare workers were
managing the case as a non-communicable case and were unable to wear the
required personal protective equipment (PPE),” Vergeire said.
The Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City also reported several health workers
being exposed to COVID-19, but exact figures are still being verified.
DOH secretary Francisco Duque III, meanwhile, urged for everyone’s cooperation
to practice preventive measures to stall the spread of the coronavirus.
“Now it is our turn to do our part in mitigating the spread of the disease. The
DOH earnestly asks for everyone’s cooperation,” Duque said. “[P]ractice
preventive measures, go on strict home quarantine if you are experiencing mild
symptoms, and help halt the spread of fake news.”
“The success of our measures to contain COVID-19 is hinged on your
participation. We will get through this together,” he added.
Duque also said that DOH fully supports all health workers working on the COVID-19
situation.
“Our commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of our
healthcare workers remains to be our priority,” Duque said. “Our frontline
health workers and medical personnel are risking their safety to respond to the
needs of the public.”/PN
