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A volunteer disinfects a vehicle in Philippine capital Manila in this file photo. (Photo: Ted Aljibe/AFP)
April 9, 2020
Joseph Peter Calleja
Union of Catholic Asian News
MANILA, Philippines -- As many as 252 health workers in Philippine capital Manila have tested positive for COVID-19, the country’s Department of Health confirmed on April 8 as the World Health Organization issued an alert about the importance of adhering to infection prevention and control measures to protect health workers.
Of that number, 65 percent, or 152, were doctors, while 25 percent, or 63, were nurses. The rest were medical staff including janitors and clerks.At least 21 doctors have died in the Philippines, while 16 are in critical condition.
“Health workers who died of Covid-19 are those with patients who lied to their doctors about their travel history. Patients are afraid to undergo quarantine or do not want to pay medical bills, so they would rather lie to their physician. The effect, however, is very sad as many of us are contracting the virus in this manner,” said Ronald Macapinlac, a doctor in Pampanga province.
Macapinlac said the number of physicians and medical staff who have contracted the virus and are under quarantine is alarming.
“This only means that more health workers have to isolate themselves. In effect, we have fewer health workers now serving in hospitals across the country, not to mention the fact that they could be carriers of the virus as well,” he added.Alarm is beginning to spread to hospitals outside Manila, where most cases have been reported.
“I hope the government will not only limit resources to Manila. Now even private hospitals in the provinces are forced to beg for donations because there are not enough protective equipment and ventilators for everyone in a pandemic like this,” Carla Generoso, a physician in Pampanga, told UCA news.
Meanwhile, military chaplains led an interfaith prayer against the spread of the coronavirus on April 8. Religious leaders in Manila came together to recite a deliverance prayer to end the pandemic.
Bishop Oscar Florencio of the Military Ordinate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines represented Catholics, while Muslim, Buddhist and Protestant groups were also present.
“The AFP chaplains will assist to invoke the mighty help of God as we plead with him to heal those affected by COVID-19 and to spare us from this present pandemic,” the prelate said.
As of April 8, 22,073 cases of COVID-19 were reported among health workers from 52 countries, the World Health Organization said. The number of probably low because there is no systematic way of reporting health care worker cases, the organization said.
The rate in China was under 4% but a report from Italy on April 10 indicated 11% of all infections in that country.
"While many infections are indicated as mild, severe outcomes, including deaths, among HCWs have also been reported," the organization said.
The correct use of personal protective equipment is critical, in particular wearing appropriate PPE for the clinical setting, paying special attention to procedures to put on and remove PPE correctly, and adhering to hand hygiene and other infection prevention and control measures.
"When these precautions are applied correctly and consistently, alongside standard precautions and administrative, engineering and environmental controls, the risk for HCW infections is substantially reduced or avoided altogether," the organization said.