Over 1,000 health workers affected by COVID-19: DOH

April 23, 2020

The Department of Health (DOH) Wednesday reported that more than 1,000 frontliners were infected with COVID-19, of which 26 have died.

Out of the 26 deaths, nineteen were doctors. No less than the World Health Organization (WHO) said these numbers were a source of worry.

"Based on our latest available data, we already have 1,062 healthcare workers found positive of COVID-19," said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a televised press briefing.

Majority of the affected medical frontliners are doctors (422) and nurses (386).

Also confirmed to have COVID-19 are 51 nursing assistants, 30 medical technologists, 21 radiological technologists, and 152 other medical workers, such as administrative workers and barangay health workers.

The 1,062 healthcare workers is nearly 16 percent of frontliners afflicted with COVID-19.

This is higher than the "worrisome" 13 percent rate pointed out by the World Health Organization (WHO) last Tuesday.

"The worrisome trend we see is in the Philippines, where the percentage is 13 percent. It is very worrisome," said WHO Western Pacific COVID-19 Incident Manager Abdi Mahamud.

The WHO noted how the other countries in the Western Pacific Region only show some two to three percent of their healthcare workers infected with COVID-19.

Vergeire said DOH is ready to look into WHO's report.

"The Department is one with the WHO in wanting to find out if there are those that do not follow our established guidelines regarding infection control in our health facilities," said Vergeire.

"The correct use of PPEs is one of the main strategies we are using to protect our frontliners," she added.

"We continue to find ways to ensure the health and safety of our health frontliners," said Vergeire.

WHO  said shortage of PPEs and training on how to use it are among the possible causes of the high infection rate among health workers.

Another possible cause, according to Mahamud, is the "overwhelmed" Philippine health system.  DMS