Four medical personnel in W. Visayas infected

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The Department of Health-Center for Health Development in Western Visayas (DOH-CHD 6) disclosed that four medical personnel in the region were infected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In an online press briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Renilyn Reyes, spokesperson of the DOH-CHD 6, said four out of the 53 confirmed Covid-19 cases in the region are medical personnel.

“Sa subong may ara kita four cases sang medical personnel na may ara COVID-19. Duha sa ila doctor, isa nurse and ang isa radiological technologist,” she said.

Reyes said that most of the medical personnel may have contracted the virus outside of the region since they had travel history outside Western Visayas

“Most of them may history of travel outside Iloilo. May ara nga nagwa sa Western Visayas and pagbalik nila may ara na sila COVID-19 infection,” she said.

Reyes said the four medical personnel are currently in stable condition and are under home quarantine.

The health department is also closely monitoring the infection and disease prevention protocols of hospitals in the region, including the subnational reference laboratory at Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 to healthcare personnel.

According to Reyes, WVMC personnel, especially those who are considered as high-risk or handling COVID-19 specimens, should undergo confirmatory testing every two weeks.

“Sa WVMC, ginahambal nila every two weeks ginapa-swab especially ang mga high risk nga nagakapot sang mga specimen para mahabiluan kon na infect sila or wala. May shifting man sila of health care workers and may standby healthcare workers in cases of emergency. They are also wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE),” Reyes said.

Reports also revealed that 40 personnel from the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila tested positive for COVID-19.

The RITM is the hub of COVID-19 tests in the country.