Gov’t hospital in Manila shuts down ER for 8 days

MANILA, Philippines — The emergency service complex of Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRMMC) in Manila would be closed for eight days, from Aug. 19 to 26 for decontamination, the hospital management announced on its social media page.

“During this period, we will not be admitting additional patients. We will be using this time to conduct deep cleaning, disinfection and decontamination, and to renovate our emergency room (ER),” JRMMC said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to Emmanuel Montaña, the hospital’s medical director, since Aug. 15, they have been transferring patients admitted at the hospital’s emergency room to other medical facilities in preparation for the temporary closure.

Patients who are not positive for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will be transferred to Tondo Medical Center, or another hospital near their residences. On the other hand, COVID-19 patients will be admitted at Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Caloocan City.