Latest data from the Department of Health (DOH) show 284 new cases on Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 8,772. The death toll rose to 579 as 11 more have died.
Recoveries increased to 1,084 after 41 more patients have recovered. Vergeire said 130 or 46 percent of the new cases are from NCR, while 116 or 41 percent are from Brgy. Kalunasan, Cebu City.
The DOH also reported that 1,694 healthcare workers have tested positive for COVID-19 where 33 have died and 256 have recovered. That’s a ratio of 1 healthcare worker for every 5 COVID-19 case in the Philippines.
Some of the health workers affected by the disease are serving at the National Center for Mental Health, RITM, NKTI, and other public hospitals.
“Ito’y nakakalungkot sapagkat kung magpapatuloy po ang ganitong trend, maaaring dumating ang panahon na magkulang na ang nag-aalaga sa ating mga pasyente (This is saddening because if this trend continues, the time may come when there will be shortage in those who take care of patients),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
Vergeire added the DOH regularly reminds hospitals to always check their PPE inventory.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has begun full-scale operations for COVID-19 testing while the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital in Pampanga is just waiting for additional PCR machines that can conduct 3,000 tests daily.
There are currently 20 licensed laboratories in the country for COVID-19 testing. A total of 100,000 pieces of test kits are set to arrive next week.
