Section of Zambales hospital closed after health worker contracts COVID-19

The San Marcelino District Hospital in Zambales province has temporarily stopped operating room service after its doctors and nurses were exposed to COVID-19 an infected colleague. (Photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot)

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — A district hospital in this province has temporarily suspended all its operation procedures after one of its health workers tested positive for COVID-19.

The San Marcelino District Hospital (SMDH) announced on Wednesday (August 25) that all of the doctors and nurses in their operating room were exposed to a virus-infected colleague and had to undergo quarantine and testing.

But it said the emergency room, outpatient department treatment, laboratory, X-ray, wards, and other hospital facilities would remain operational.

SMDH and Sta. Cecilia Medical Center in the capital town of Iba, which are both facilities that treat COVID-19 patients, still has a low occupancy rate.

The Candelaria District Hospital and Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center – Baypointe Inc., inside the Subic Bay Freeport have already reached their full capacity while the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba is at a critical level.

To date, the bed occupancy rate in the province is now at 73 percent, which is considered high risk.