DOH says protocols in place for admission of COVID patients, mum on Roque’s hospitalization

This photo taken on April 6, 2021 shows a relative wearing personal protective equipment attending to a family member with COVID-19 at a makeshift ward in a hospital in Manila.  More contagious variants of the coronavirus have been blamed for a record surge in infections in Metro Manila that has overwhelmed hospitals and sent the national capital region into lockdown. (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday maintained that it has protocols in admitting COVID-19 patients through a triage system.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario had this to say when asked how presidential spokesman Harry Roque was able to immediately secure a bed in a hospital after he contracted COVID-19 while hospitals in Metro Manila and nearby provinces are reported to have reached full capacity.

She refused to comment on Roque’s alleged prioritization in getting admitted.

“We have our protocols and there is also a triaging system in our hospitals based on the level of severity of patients  when they come in,” she said in an interview on ABS CBN News Channel.

DOH Undersecretary and spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire (FILE PHOTO)

“For this [issue], please forgive me, I’m not going to comment on this but as I’ve said we have protocols in our system,” Vergeire added.

On April 10, Roque reported he is in a hospital for COVID-19 treatment after contracting the severe respiratory disease anew.

He first announced he has COVID-19 on March 15 and has recovered on March 25 when he already tested negative for coronavirus infection.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque holds an online press briefing while on self-quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. (Screengrab from RTVM)

Many have questioned Roque’s immediate hospitalization especially after reports of hospitals reaching full capacity, forcing patients to wait for days in emergency rooms, isolate in their cars, or being told to go home.

Some patients have died while waiting for proper medical intervention.

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