MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City’s local government has decided to temporarily close down four health centers in the city as their respective health workers await the results of their coronavirus tests.
According to Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, the health centers in Maybunga Floodway, Napico, Manggahan Super HC, and Caniogan were closed as of Thursday.
Workers from Caniogan are under quarantine while they wait to be tested for COVID-19.
Sotto said that people with urgent concerns can contact the city’s operation center’s hotline at 86430000, where health practitioners can dole out advice for patients.
“For urgent concerns, please call our OpCen at 86430000. Sila po ang magti-triage sa inyo at magbibigay ng advice kung ano ang dapat gawin (they triage you and give you advice on what to do),” the local executive said on his Facebook page.
“Pakiusap na wag dumiretso sa ospital (lalo na’t madalas mapuno ang mga ospital ngayon at baka hindi rin kaya ng mapupuntahan ninyo),” he added.
(Please don’t go straight to the hospital especially now that some hospitals are full and they may not be able to accommodate you.)
Sotto also asked for patience as health responders may not be able to reach everyone immediately, as the healthcare system is currently working to increase their capacity.
“We do our best to serve you ASAP. Minsan nasa biyahe lang talaga lahat ng ambulansya o sabay-sabay ang mga tawag sa hotline,” he said.
“We ask for your continuous support and cooperation as we work to increase our healthcare system’s capacity everyday. Salamat po,” he added.
As of now, Pasig has one of the highest coronavirus cases in Metro Manila with 1,670 confirmed COVID-19 patients — of which 111 have died while 741 have recovered.
Earlier, the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said that there are 3,954 new COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total number to 89,374.
Of this number, 1,983 patients have died while 65,064 have recovered after DOH reported that over 38,000 additional patients have beaten the disease.