Negros Occidental hospital suspends services as some workers tested for COVID-19

BACOLOD CITY –– A hospital in Barangay Bacuyangan, Hinoba-an town, Negros Occidental, suspended its services starting Tuesday, April 20, while some employees were tested for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the emergency room of the Eleuterio T. Decena Memorial Hospital, however, would continue to operate for those with extreme emergency cases.

Tested for COVID-19 were the hospital’s three utility workers, a security guard, nurse, ambulance driver, and junior consultant, who were exposed to a COVID-19 patient.

Diaz said the hospital’s emergency room, outpatient department, triage area, female ward, radiologic and laboratory department would undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection.

The services at the hospital’s administrative office, pharmacy, and dietary departments, and the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program Office would continue, Diaz said.

LZB