MANILA (UCAN): The Philippine’s Department of Health confirmed on April 8 that as many as 252 health workers in the capital, Manila, tested positive for Covid-19. Of that number, 65 per cent, or 152, were doctors, while 25 per cent, or 63, were nurses. The rest were medical staff including janitors and clerks. At least 21 doctors have died, while 16 are in critical condition.
“Health workers who died of Covid-19 are those with patients who lied to their doctors about their travel history. Patients are afraid to undergo quarantine or do not want to pay medical bills, so they would rather lie to their physician. The effect, however, is very sad as many of us are contracting the virus in this manner,” Ronald Macapinlac, a doctor in the province of Pampanga, said.
Macapinlac said the number of physicians and medical staff who have contracted the virus and are under quarantine is alarming.
“This only means that more health workers have to isolate themselves. In effect, we have fewer health workers now serving in hospitals across the country, not to mention the fact that they could be carriers of the virus as well,” he added.
Alarm is beginning to spread to hospitals outside Manila, where most cases have been reported.
“I hope the government will not only limit resources to Manila. Now even private hospitals in the provinces are forced to beg for donations because there are not enough protective equipment and ventilators for everyone in a pandemic like this,” Carla Generoso, another Pampanga-based physician, said.
Meanwhile, military chaplains led an interfaith prayer against the spread of the coronavirus on April 8. Religious leaders in Manila also came together to recite a deliverance prayer to end the pandemic.
Bishop Oscar Florencio of the Military Ordinate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was joined by Muslim, Buddhist and Protestant representatives.
“The AFP chaplains will assist to invoke the mighty help of God as we plead with him to heal those affected by Covid-19 and to spare us from this present pandemic,” the bishop said.
