The World Health Organization last month sounded the alarm on the high number of health workers in the Philippines who have been infected with COVID-19, underscoring the importance of proper protective gear for frontliners. It said then that around 13 percent of infected patients in the country are health workers — much higher than the 2-3 percent in the WHO’s Western Pacific Region comprising 37 member states including China.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) — The total number of health workers with the coronavirus disease has increased to 1,934 after 48 more contracted the deadly illness, the Department of Health reported on Friday.
The DOH said at least 721 nurses, 616 physicians, 124 nursing assistants, 71 medical technologists and 38 radiologic technologists, tested positive for COVID-19. Of the total number, 1,451 are active cases, 982 are mild, 462 have no symptoms, and seven are classified as severe cases.
The latest figure means 19 percent of the country’s total or one out of five cases is a health worker, the department said. Cases of COVID-19 throughout the Philippines have reached 10,463 as of Friday.
Meanwhile, recoveries among health personnel are now at 449 after 46 more frontliners survived the disease. The death toll remains at 34, with no new reported fatalities over the last five days.
The health department reiterated that the daily count of infected health workers continues to slow down since April 11, adding that its coordination with hospitals on the proper use of protective gear may have been a factor.
The agency also deployed 756 nurses in different areas in the country and opened 3,042 slots for new health workers in 56 hospitals and quarantine facilities. It said it received requests from 73 facilities looking for new recruits.
