Laguna hospital’s ER temporarily closed due to suspected MERS

SAN PEDRO CITY – The emergency room of a private hospital in Sta. Cruz, Laguna was temporarily shut down on Wednesday morning due to a suspected case of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

The closure was part of the hospital’s routine to “clean up” and disinfect the facility, said Glen Ramos, spokesperson of the Department of Health (DOH) in Calabarzon.

Dr. Eduardo Janairo, DOH regional director, said in a text message that the suspected MERS case was reported at the Laguna Doctors Hospital.

He said the patient has been brought to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City.

MERS is a communicable and deadly disease with symptoms similar to the common flu, such as fever, coughs, colds, and sneezing. The incubation period is usually 14 days.

“It’s a routine clean up. Once done, they will open it again,” Ramos added. /lzb