Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 18) — The public is safe from catching the coronavirus disease in testing centers, the Department of Health assured in a virtual media briefing on Saturday.
This was DOH Spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire’s response to a netizen’s question on whether individuals getting tested for the virus are safe from getting infected in the said facilities.
“Ang ating pong mga doctor at health workers ay trained po sa mga ganitong gawain. Sila po ay well-versed o aral sa mga safety protocols upang masiguro na hindi lamang ang kanilang safety maging ang safety ng mga pasyente at mga tao sa kanilang paligid,” explained Vergeire.
[Translation: Our doctors and health workers are trained for these activities (related to COVID-19). They are well-versed or well-learned on safety protocols to ensure not just their safety but also of the patients and the people around them.]
She said these protocols include the correct usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves.
[Translation: Contrary to reports, (health workers) do not recycle or reuse gloves on multiple patients and instead replace gloves every time they get specimens (from people being tested).]
She added that frontliners undergo proper training, briefing, and orientation before getting deployed while testing facilities undergo thorough inspection before receiving certification from the department.
“Bawat detalye po ay atin talagang hinihimay para matiyak na safe po ang mga kababayan natin kapag sila ay pupunta dito,” she said.
[Translation: We dissect every detail to ensure our countrymen are safe once they visit these (testing centers).]
The Philippines started “progressive” mass testing earlier this week, with 17 testing centers getting accredited by the DOH.
As of April 18, there are 6,087 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. 397 have died from the illness, while 516 have recovered.
Vergeire also reiterated in Saturday’s briefing the importance of social distancing, washing hands, and cough etiquette in curbing the spread of the deadly virus.
“Salungat po sa mga nababalita, hindi po recycled o ginagamit muli ang gloves para sa maraming pasyente at sa halip ay nagpapalit po sila ng gloves sa bawat pagkuha ng specimen.” Vergeire explained.
