PLM employee succumbs to COVID-19, 2 others infected

MANILA, Philippines — An employee of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) has succumbed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) while two others tested positive for the viral illness.

“The University confirms the passing of a 57-year-old female who died due to COVID-related issues this morning. She last reported in campus on July 9 and experienced flu-like symptoms on July 11,” the university said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

https://www.facebook.com/PLM.Haribon/posts/4085658131505485

The city government-funded university said the employee was being treated in a hospital in Manila where she later died. The university said it has yet to determine the source of COVID-19 infection.

Meanwhile, another university employee recovered from the ailment while the other employee is still confined at the hospital.

“One has recovered and the other is now recovering while in a hospital. These cases were confirmed at different dates and different locations. There is still no COVID-19 transmission within campus grounds,” the PLM statement said.

PLM also assured the public that it has conducted regular disinfection at the campus following the employee’s demise.

“Existing protocols involve disinfecting campus premises every morning and afternoon, while frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs and stairway rails are disinfected every two hours,” the university added in the same statement.

“With the employee’s passing, University officials have specifically decontaminated her work area ahead of the date of the regular sanitation and procedures,” it added.

The university said it only allowed a limited number of employees to report for work ahead of the reopening of classes on September 3, 2020.

University employees are required to fill out health declaration forms for constant and closer monitoring of their health status, PLM said.

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