Following recent reports that certain DOH-retained hospitals in the National Capital Region have suspended operations due to increasing numbers of healthcare worker (HCW) infections, the Department of Health (DOH) reports that all 17 DOH-retained hospitals in Metro Manila remain operational.

Some DOH-retained hospitals have suspended elective surgeries and outpatient department (OPD) operations to ensure that the most critical services continue while HCWs recover from COVID-19.

Individual hospital infection control units have started hospital-level investigations to find sources of infection and contain further spread. Meanwhile, HCWs infected with COVID-19 are being provided support by facilitating hospital or isolation facility admission.

The DOH, through treatment czar USec. Leoplodo Vega and the One Hospital Command Center, continues to augment hospital resources by downloading funds to the hospitals for hiring of additional personnel, purchase of medicines, and referral of patients to the appropriate facility.

With the observed high hospital admissions coupled with increasing cases among our frontliners, the DOH calls on remaining HCWs to get their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. Individuals experiencing symptoms should immediately isolate and coordinate with their Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) for health advice and referral to the appropriate facility.

The public is also called on to utilize teleconsultations for non-urgent medical needs to avoid overcrowding in hospitals and ensure that all critical patient needs are attended to. For telemedicine consultations, the public may consult through the following DOH Telemedicine partners:

1. CloudPx: https://econsult.cloudmd.com.ph/
2. HealthNowPH: https://healthnow.ph/
3. SeeYouDoc: https://www.seeyoudoc.com
4. TelAventusMD: fb.com/TelAventusMD
5. MedCheck E-consult: www.medcheck.com.ph
6. TrinityCare: via the App Store or Google Play or +63 917 111 1975