The Department of Health reported 34 new COVID-19 cases (PH65-PH98), bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 98. The details of these new cases are currently being validated by our teams and will be provided to the public as soon as the information is available and verified by the Department. In addition, we are also verifying reports of additional cases.
“Now it is our turn to do our part in mitigating the spread of the disease. The DOH earnestly asks for everyone’s cooperation. Our frontline health workers and medical personnel are risking their safety to respond to the needs of the public, all we ask is for you to do your part: practice preventive measures, go on strict home quarantine if you are experiencing mild symptoms, and help halt the spread of fake news. The success of our measures to contain COVID-19 is hinged on your participation. We will get through this together,” the Secretary added.
“At this most trying time, our strongest weapon as a nation is Vigilance, Preparedness, and Solidarity. We are seeing these values at play now as DOH is receiving an influx of support from individuals and organizations who are willing to render assistance in any way they can. Let this be a reminder for all Filipinos to step up to the plate and heed the call for cooperation,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III remarked.
On Health Workers being Reported as PUIs and PUMs
DOH reported that the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) is limiting its services after several health personnel were exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case.
The confirmed case (PH37) was the previously announced mortality last March 12 who was admitted at PHC. PH37 was reported to have no history of travel and close contact to a confirmed patient. Several of the PUIs and PUMs were exposed to PH37. Prior to the confirmation of the PH37’s diagnosis, healthcare workers were managing the case as a non-communicable case and were unable to wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE).
As of 2PM today, PHC has 13 patients under investigation (PUIs) – 12 health workers and one (1) non-health person. PHC sent home four patients under monitoring (PUMs) today who were previously quarantined in a restricted area in the hospital, while an additional six (6) PUMs are still quarantined in the facility. They are also currently verifying the number of PUMs in home quarantine.
As of now, PHC is limiting its hospital operations to accommodate in-patient and emergency cases only. Services in the Outpatient Department were temporarily stopped last March 11 and are expected to reopen on March 16. The Catheterization Laboratory where PH37 had her procedure was also closed and disinfected. Hospital services for Z-benefit packages and elective cases are temporarily cancelled until further notice. Currently, the human resource complement of PHC is being realigned by the management to provide continuous service to the admitted patients.
In addition, Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City has also reported several health workers being exposed to the COVID-19 virus. DOH is still verifying data on the exact figures and the updated conditions of the health workers.
“I assure our health workers that you have the full support of the whole Department as we go through this ordeal together. I commend the commitment of our health workers, who amidst the risks they are currently facing, are still serving and saving the lives of our kababayans. Our commitment to safeguard the health and well-being of our healthcare workers remains to be our priority,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.
On Advice for Travellers from NCR
DOH advises all travellers coming from the National Capital Region who are without symptoms to undergo strict home quarantine for 14 days. Travellers from NCR who are out of the region will be considered as PUMs. Travellers from Metro Manila with fever and or any respiratory symptoms will be considered as PUIs and are advised to seek medical attention from a health facility.
The DOH reminds the public that all land, domestic sea and domestic air travel to and from Metro Manila will be suspended beginning March 15, 2020, 00:01H. Residents of Metro Manila are advised to stay in their homes and avoid unnecessary movements within the area.
“Let us cooperate with our healthcare workers and local government authorities to stop the spread of this disease to other communities. The Department is issuing guidelines for the health and safety of all Filipinos. In turn, let us follow these stringent infection prevention interventions without fail. Only through the genuine help of all Filipinos will we be able stop this health emergency.” the Health Chief concluded.
(Bersyong Filipino, salin ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino)
34 BAGONG KASO NG COVID-19, INIULAT NG DOH; NANANAWAGAN NG KOOPERASYON NG PUBLIKO
Press Release / 14 March 2020
Iniulat ng Department of Health ang bagong 34 kaso ng COVID-10 (PH65–PH98), para sa kabuoang bílang na 98 kumpirmadong kaso sa bansa. Kasalukuyang binabalida ang detalye ng mga bagong kaso ng mga pangkat at ilalabas sa publiko kapag ang impormasyon ay naging available at naberipika ng Kagawaran. Dagdag dito, biniberipika din ang mga ulat ng mga dagdag na kaso.
“Ngayon ang pagkakataong gawin ang ating bahagi sa pagpigil ng sakít. Taos na hinihingi ng DOH ang kooperasyon ng lahat. Isinusugal ng ating mga health worker at medical personnel ang kanilang kaligtasan upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng publiko. Ang tanging hinihiling namin sa inyo ay gawin ang inyong bahagi: magsagawa ng preventive measures, sumailalim sa estriktong home quarantine kung dumaranas ng mga katamtamang sintomas, at tumulong sa pagpigil ng pagkalat ng fake news. Ang tagumpay ng ating mga hakbang sa pag-contain ng COVID-19 ay nakaangkla sa inyong pakikilahok. Sáma-sáma nating malalampasan ito,” dagdag ng Kalihim.
“Sa panahong ito ng pagsubok, ang pinakamalakas nating sandata bílang isang bayan ay Pagbabantay, Pagiging Handa, at Pagkakaisa. Nakikita natin ngayon kung paano isinasabuhay ang mga hálagahán sa tinatanggap ng DOH na suporta mula sa mga indibidwal at organisasyong handang magbigay ng tulong sa kahit anong paraang makakaya nilá. Hayaan nating maging paalala ito sa lahat ng Filipino na tumindig at tumugon sa panawagan ng pakikisa,” ayon sa Kalihim ng Kalusugan na si Francisco Duque III.
Hinggil sa mga Health Worker na iniulat na mga PUI at PUM
Iniulat ng DOH na nililimitahan ng Philippine Heart Center (PHC) ang kanilang serbisyo matapos ma-expose sa isang kumpirmadong kaso ng COVID-19 ang ilang health personnel.
Ang kumpirmadong kaso (PH37) ay ang naunang inanunsiyong namatay noong Marso 12 na iniadmit sa PHC. Iniulat na walang paglalakbay at close contact sa isang kumpirmadong pasyente ang PH37. Ilan sa mga PUI at PUM ay na-expose kay PH37. Bago ang kumpirmasyon ng diagnosis ni PH37, inaasikaso ng mga health worker ang kaso bílang kasong non-communicable at hindi silá nakapagsuot ng kinakailangang personal protective equipment (PPE).
Hanggang 2 nh ngayon, mayroon 13 patients under investigation (PUIs) ang PHC—12 health worker at isang (1) non-health person. Pinauwi ngayong araw ng PHC ang apat na pasyenteng under monitoring (PUMs) na naunang na-quarantine sa isang restricted area ng ospital, samantalang anim (6) na dagdag na PUMs ang naka-quarantine para rin sa pasilidad. Kasalukuyan niláng biniberipika ang bílang ng PUMs na naka-home quarantine.
Sa ngayon, nililimitahan ng PHC ang operasyon nito upang maasikaso ang mga in-patient at emergency case lámang. Pansamantalang itinigil ang serbisyo sa Outpatient Department noong Marso 11 at inaasahang muling magbubukas ito sa Marso 16. Isinara at dinis-infect din ang Catherization Laboratory na umasikaso kay PH37. Pansamantalang kinansela din ang mga serbisyo ng ospital para sa Z-benefit packages at elective cases hanggang sa susunod na pabatid. Sa kasalukuyan, nire-realign ng pamununuan ang human resource complement ng PHC upang patuloy na makapagserbisyo sa mga inadmit na pasyente.
Dagdag pa, iniulat din ng Rizal Medical Center sa Lungsond Pasig ang ilang health worker na na-expose sa COVID-19 virus. Biniberipika pa ng DOH ang eksaktong bilang at kasalukuyang kondisyon ng mga health worker.
“Tinitiyak ko sa ating mga health worker na nása kanila ang buong suporta ng buong Kagawaran hábang sáma-sáma nating hinaharap ang pagsubok na ito. Pinupuri ko ang ating mga health worker, na sa kabila ng mga bantang kasalukuyan niláng hinaharap, ay patuloy pa rin silá sa paglilingkod at nagliligtas ng mga búhay ng ating mga kababayan. Ang ating tungkulin na pangalagaan ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga health worker ay nananatiling priyoridad namin,” sabi ng Kalihim ng Kalusugan na si Francisco T. Duque III.
Hinggil sa Payo sa mga Maglalakbay Mulang NCR
Pinapayuhan ng DOH ang lahat ng mga maglalakbay mulang National Capital Region na walang sintomas na magsagawa ng estriktong home quarantine sa loob ng 14 araw. Ituturing na PUMs ang mga manlalakbay mulang NCR na lumabas sa rehiyon. Ituturing na PUIs ang mga manlalakbay mulang Metro Manila na may lagnat at/o anumang respiratory symptoms at pinapayuhan siláng magpatingin sa isang health facility.
Pinaaalahanan ng DOH ang publiko na lahat ng mga paglalakbay sa lupa, domestikong dagat, at domestikong himpapawid ay suspendido simula 15 Marso 2020, 00:01 nu. Pinapayuhan ang mga residente ng Metro Manila na manatili sa kanilang mga tahanan at iwasan ang di-kinakailangang paglabas.
“Makipagtulungan táyo sa ating healthcare workers at opisyal ng lokal na pamahalaan sa pagpigil sa pagkalat ng sakít sa ibang komunidad. Nag-iisyu ng mga panuntunan ang Kagawaran para sa kalusugan at kaligtasan ng lahat ng mga Filipino. Sa gayon, sundin natin ang mga estriktong interbensiyon sa pagpigil ng impeksiyon. Sa pamamagitan ng busilak na tulong ng lahat ng mga Filipino, mapipigil natin ang health emergency na ito,” pagwawakas ng punò ng Kagawaran.
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