Another Negros Occidental provincial government run-hospital has temporarily suspended its admission of patients, except for emergencies, until further notice because of surging COVID-19 cases among its personnel, Dr. Carmelo Arguelles, chief of hospital, said.
The Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital in La Carlota City has two doctors, one nurse, a dietician, two medical technologists, an ambulance driver and one support staff who have tested positive for COVID-19, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Tuesday, January 25.
The Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City is also limiting its admissions to emergency cases.
Diaz said 16.5 percent or 101 out of 610 TLJPH employees were under quarantine as of Tuesday.
Sixty-three or 10.3 percent are COVID-19 positive, while 6.2 percent or 38 are in quarantine following contact tracing and consult, he added.
There are now about 115 HCWs in eight provincial government run hospitals that are COVID-19 positive.
Meanwhile, the Cadiz District Hospital now has 102 COVID-19 patients who were mostly initially admitted for other ailments at different hospitals, Diaz said.
When they were found positive for COVID-19 they were transferred to the Cadiz District Hospital, which is the Negros Occidental COVID-19 designated facility.
The Cadiz hospital’s annex has been opened and can now admit 188 to 198 patients, he said.
The Silay City, Cadiz City and EB Magalona healing centers have also been reopened to quarantine those hit with COVID-19. There were more than 100 occupants at the Silay facility, 70 in Cadiz and 14 in EB Magalona as of Tuesday, Diaz said.*