144 health workers in The Medical City undergo quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure

Almost 150 health workers of The Medical City in Pasig City exposed to COVID-19 were made to undergo quarantine.

This was revealed by The Medical City president and chief executive officer Dr. Eugenio Jose Ramos on Sunday.

"As of last night, placed under quarantine for 14 days were 95 nurses, 13 residents and fellows, 12 emergency room physicians and 24 house staff," Ramos said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Medyo na-expose sila o pinapasigurado lang, pinapauwi namin baka na-expose," he said, adding that some have finished their quarantine with no symptoms and went back to their duty.

"May nakakabalik naman," Ramos said.

The COVID-19 threat has put a strain on their hospital, he said.

"Nase-stretch 'yung total complement namin," Ramos said.

"Important na 'yung ibang pasyente, nakakalat sa ibang hospitals," he said, but clarified The Medical City does not turn away any patient.

Ramos said The Medical City's intensive care unit (ICU) is already at full capacity. Four persons under investigation (PUI) are currently hooked to a respirator.

"Kung lahat ng nasa ICU naka-respirator, mauubos ang respirator natin," Ramos said.

He admitted that the hospital is also running low on personal protective equipment (PPE) and N95 masks.

"Kahit 'yung mga PPEs, N95, talagang lahat parang war time, stretched lahat," Ramos said.

"Ang supplies namin good for two weeks na lang," he said, adding this is where supply chain management comes in.

Ramos said they have supplies coming from donations and suppliers but they need to regulate the use of their supplies to make these last.

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, with the Department of Health saying there were 307 cases as of Saturday. There were 19 deaths and 13 have recovered.

Ramos, however, warned that the country has not yet reached the peak of the COVID-19 cases.

"Hindi pa tayo nag-surge," he said.

Since it is flu season, people with flu may understandably feel worried that they may have COVID-19, he said.

Ramos advised that those who are young and have mild symptoms should stay home.

However, those who are senior citizens or who have diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases and fever need to go to the hospital.

Ramos advised the public to observe social distancing and stay home.

"Really stay home. Social distancing is the best way to limit the surge of the spread... Stay home at maghugas ng kamay," he added. —KG, GMA News