Bukidnon hospital locks down over fears staff, patients caught COVID-19

The Bukidnon Provincial Hospital in Maramag town has locked down over fears that COVID-19 spread, and the safety of its staff and patients were compromised.

The hospital’s chief, Dr Edmundo G. Garcia, ordered the government hospital temporarily closed since Sunday, June 6, to prevent the virus from spreading further.

Over 30 hospital staff were on quarantine after they were exposed to COVID-19, Garcia said on Wednesday, June 9. He did not disclose more details.

Garcia told Rappler that contact-tracing work has begun, and the 130-bed capacity hospital was being disinfected.

He said the hospital has not been admitting patients since Sunday.

Garcia also suspended face-to-face consultations on Tuesday, June 8, “until further notice.”

He said patients may consult the hospital’s physicians via “telemedicine,” or they could just exchange text messages or call the doctors.

“Our telemedicine services allow patients to secure medical advice without leaving their homes,” Garcia said.

One hospital division – the Maramag Animal Bite Treatment Center – remained open, but people who go there are required to strictly observe health protocols.

Garcia said the hospital would resume operations as soon as the disinfection has been completed, and when most of the staff have been given clearance.,

Maramag town registered 111 active COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, making it the 4th place in Bukidnon with the highest number of active cases. – Rappler.