Duque: No need to avoid hospitals of coronavirus patients

MANILA, Philippines — There’s no need to avoid hospitals where confirmed patients of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are admitted, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday, adding these health institutions are well- equipped to handle patients with COVID-19.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also announced that they will name the hospitals where the reported coronavirus patients in the country are confined.

“We would like to take this opportunity to reassure the public that our hospitals have infection prevention and controlled practices in place so there is no need to avoid going to these hospitals, especially if you feel unwell,” Duque said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of public health emergency after the DOH reported 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country.

Of the figure, seven are confined, two have recovered, while one died. The fatality was a Chinese tourist.

Duque earlier bared that the four new patients of COVID-19 are separately admitted at the Makati Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City, The Medical City in Ortigas, and at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.

The health chief said disclosing the names of these hospitals were meant to combat fake news.

The Health department likewise confirmed the first local transmission of the virus in the country after a 62-year-old Filipino from Cainta, Rizal with no previous travel history outside of the Philippines, tested positive for COVID-19. His wife also tested positive of the virus.

As of posting time, Duque said there are 41 patients under investigation for suspected COVID-19 infection.

However, he said that more than 80 percent of COVID-19 infection worldwide is only “mild.”

EDV