Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire
MANILA – The total number of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases among health workers has reached 2,315.
In a Covid-19 virtual presser on Tuesday, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, however, said the number of health workers infected with Covid-19 started to drop on April 11.
"Of the total number, 1,306 are active cases. We're happy to report that we have not recorded any death due to Covid-19 among our healthcare workers yesterday. The total number of deaths among our healthcare workers is 35," Vergeire said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Meanwhile, the total number of healthcare workers who recovered from the disease rose to 974.
As of May 18, the DOH reported that the total number of nurses infected with Covid-19 stood at 842, with 671 doctors or physicians, 144 nursing assistants, 84 medical technologists, 42 radiologic technologists, and 284 non-medical staff.
For the emergency hiring of health workers, the DOH has received a total of 168 facility requests as of May 18.
"We already have 6,225 slots approved for hiring in 135 hospitals and quarantine facilities, Philippine Arena Covid-19 facility, and QI (Quezon Institute) temporary quarantine facility. We have 2,406 personnel hired in 168 hospitals and quarantine facilities," Vergeire said.
She added there are 756 redeployed nurses under the DOH Nurses Deployment Program, 167 in Luzon, and 589 in the Visayas and Mindanao.
For the safety of the healthcare workers, the DOH has distributed personal protective equipment to different health facilities nationwide. These include 716,795 coveralls; 4,079,950 face masks; 1,368,570 gloves; 683,514 gowns; 488,380 Kn95 masks; 475,580 N95 masks; 179,276 face shields; 804,985 head caps; 2,672 thermal scanners; 594,908 goggles; 30 non-invasive ventilators; and 10 sanitation tents. (PNA)
