DAVAO CITY — Some 58 hospital staff at Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) in Davao Oriental are on quarantine after one of its doctors tested positive for the coronavirus.
The 58 hospital staff, mostly nurses , were considered ‘direct contacts’ of the physician, are now isolated while health authorities are conducting a massive contact tracing among the staff.
The doctor, 32-year-old, a resident physician for internal medicine at the DOPMC was also performing duty hours in a dialysis facility in Davao City,
The doctor underwent RT-PCR swab test on May 8 and on May 14, the result was negative.
On May 25 and 26 he reported for duty at the DOPMC, he was asymptomatic.
The provincial health office conducted a mandatory swab test on May 26, in compliance with the protocol set by the provincial Covid-19 Task Force which mandates the testing of all health personnel, frontliners, and essential workforce frequently traveling to Davao City, among others.
The May 26 swab test was released o May 30, it showed that the doctor is positive of coronavirus.
As of press time, the provincial government said all of the isolated staff are asymptomatic except for one who is experiencing runny nose but has a history of recurring sinusitis.
Out of the 58 staff, 20 individuals who have an ideal isolation space at home are subjected to strict home quarantine while the rest are isolated in various quarantine facilities provided by the Provincial Government.
Meanwhile, seven of the fourteen hospital patients who have received direct care from the doctor, have been placed under strict hospital isolation while the other seven were already discharged from the hospital and endorsed to the City Health Office of Mati for contact tracing.
The contact tracing will include the family members, watchers who have direct exposure to the doctor.
Upon consultation with the Infectious Disease Specialist based at the Davao Regional Medical Center, the contacts of the COVID-19 positive case will undergo swab testing between June 2 to 4, 2020, following the seven to 10 days last exposure to get more accurate results, the statement added.
But for those who manifested symptoms, swab tests were already conducted.
Since Sunday, May 31, 2020, stringent disinfection measures have been done at DOPMC. All areas have been thoroughly disinfected through the use of DOH and WHO approved disinfection solution.
The hospital has activated and mobilized its Infection Control Team to ensure safety in the facility for all its staff and patients. All staff was advised to strictly follow quarantine protocols while those who are still able to duty are reminded to follow minimum health standards.
The provincial government appealed to the public not to discriminate health workers, saying they are in the frontline against the war of coronavirus.
In a repeat swab test conducted on June 2, the doctor yielded negative result.
The provincial government of Davao Oriental has established enough isolation facilities prior to having positive cases.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline
