PGH to start accepting COVID-19 patients again on May 18

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH), a major COVID-19 referral center, will resume accepting virus-hit patients on Tuesday, May 18, once it has finalized adjustments after a portion of its building was hit by a fire, the hospital director said Monday.

Dr. Gerardo Legaspi said he asked for a day in which to stabilize the transfer of patients affected by the blaze and to clear the smoke.

“Humihingi lang po ako ng isang araw na hindi muna kami mag-a-admit ng COVID patients pero simula bukas po mag-umpisa na ulit kami ng pagtanggap ng mga COVID patients,” he said in a Laging Handa briefing.

(I am asking for one day where we will not be admitting COVID patients, but starting tomorrow, we will once again start accepting COVID patients.)

Legaspi said some 500 patients, including COVID-19 cases, were affected by the fire.

“‘Yun pong mga COVID patients ay basta magkakasya pa po sa ibang designated COVID wards na hindi namin in-evacuate… ‘Yung hindi magkasya, do’n nilagay namin sa open area,” he said.

(The COVID patients that could fit into designated COVID wards were not evacuated but those who could not be accommodated in wards were put in an open area.)

Legaspi said initial findings indicated that the fire that broke out at the PGH’s sterilization area early Sunday morning was possibly caused by faulty electrical wiring or a circuit breaker.

He added that the emergency room, which was also affected by the fire, would be reopened on Monday.

Donors may deposit to the PGH's verified accounts or call the hospital hotline at 155-200 for more details.  — DVM, GMA News