‘DON’T DISCRIMINATE’: 25 health workers in WV infected with COVID-19

Twenty-five healthcare workers in Western Visayas were infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as of Tuesday, according to the Department of Health-Center for Health Development Western Visayas (DOH-CHD 6).

The health department also confirmed on Tuesday that a nurse from the COVID-hit St. Paul’s Hospital in Iloilo City was among the 25 health workers.

Dr. Renilyn Reyes, head of the Public Health Program Development of DOH-CHD 6, said nine healthcare workers from St. Paul’s tested positive for COVID-19.

The nurse, who is a 28-year-old male from City Proper district in Iloilo City, was identified as WV Patient No. 309.

“Aside from the eight doctors in the hospital who were Covid-19 positive, one nurse from the same health facility has contracted Covid-19,” Reyes said in a virtual press briefer on Tuesday.

According to Dr. Ella Mae Divinagracia, infectious diseases specialist of St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo, the nurse is currently under quarantine in the hospital.

“He is currently staying in the isolation facility of the hospital. The nurse who was infected was assigned to the third floor of the hospital,” Divinagracia said on Tuesday.

The province of Antique also confirmed that a 53-year-old female frontline health worker from Barbaza town was also infected with COVID-19.

In a statement, Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao said the patient is currently admitted to a government hospital.

Reyes said the patient is a doctor and identified as WV Patient No. 313.

“The patient was detected after exhibiting symptoms in the same hospital. She is currently stable and contact tracing has been made in terms of the hospital and concerned local government units (LGUs).

The 25 infected health workers include 13 doctors (eight from St. Paul’s Hospital); seven nurses; one radiological technologist; one medical technologist; and three midwives (three from Alimodian town in Iloilo province).

Reyes appealed to the public to avoid shaming and discriminating healthcare personnel in the region.

“Ginapangabay naton nga likawan naton ang shaming and diskriminasyon sang healthcare workers panumdumon naton nga ang ila serbisyo tama gid ka importante sa pagserbe sang Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients sa mga hospital and health facilities,” she noted.

 

17 MORE CASES

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas jumped to 324 after logging in 17 new cases on Tuesday.

This is based on Case Bulletin No. 96 of DOH-CHD 6.

A total 1,135 laboratory results from the two subnational testing laboratories in the region – Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City and Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital Molecular Laboratory in Negros Occidental, were released on Tuesday.

According to Dr. Renilyn Reyes, this is the highest number of laboratory results released in the region in a day.

“Out of the 1,135 results, we recorded 17 new positive cases of Covid-19 involving repatriates and local cases,” Reyes said in the press briefing Tuesday.

Reyes reported two indigenous cases – a 28-year-old male nurse from City Proper district in Iloilo City (WV Patient No. 308) who is affiliated with St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo; and a 53-year-old female doctor from Barbaza, Antique (WV Patient No. 313) who was assigned in a government hospital.

The two patients are currently admitted to their respective health isolation facilities.

The other new cases include seven locally stranded individuals (LSIs):

-a 25-year-old female from Bacolod City (WV Patient No. 308);

-a 43-year-old female from Lapuz, Iloilo City (WV Patient No. 310);

-a 30-year-old female from Jaro, Iloilo City (WV Patient No. 311);

-a 19-year-old female from Culasi, Antique (WV Patient No. 312);

-a 21-year-old male from Pototan, Iloilo (WV Patient No. 314);

-a 25-year-old female from Passi City, Iloilo (WV Patient No. 315) and;

– a 30-year-old male from Bago, City Negros Occidental (WV Patient No. 318).

Seven repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) also tested positive for COVID-19:

-a 26-year-old male from Bacolod City (WV Patient No. 316);

-a 25-year-old female from Bago City, Negros Occidental (WV Patient No. 318);

-a 52-year-old male from Arevalo, Iloilo City (WV Patient No. 320);

-a 42-year-old male from La Paz, Iloilo City (WV Patient No. 321);

-a 29-year-old female from Bacolod City (WV Patient No. 322);

-a 41-year-old female from Bacolod City (WV Patient No. 323); and

-a 35-year-old female from Bacolod City (WV Patient No. 324).

One authorized person outside residence (APOR) from Jaro, Iloilo City (WV Patient No. 319) also tested positive for COVID.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 recoveries in the region totaled to 132 with six new recoveries recorded on Tuesday.

Reyes reported that the new recoveries included a 40-year old male OFW repatriate from Sagay City, Negros Occidental; a 30-year-old male from Igbaras, Iloilo; a 22-year-old male from Lambunao, Iloilo; a 19-year old female LSI from Cauayan, Negros Occidental; a 37-year old male OFW repatriate from Bacolod City, and a 38-year old female OFW repatriate from Binalbagan, Negros Occidental.

The 324 cases in the region include 181 active cases, 132 recoveries and 11 deaths as of Tuesday.