CVMC to serve as COVID treatment facility

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, March 22 (PIA) – After the official confirmation of the first COVID-19 case in Region 2 by the Department of Health yesterday, an official of the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) said the hospital is ready should there be additional Persons Under Investigation (PUIs).

In a press conference held here, CVMC Medical Center Chief Glenn Mathew Baggao said the hospital will be designated as COVID-19 treatment facility as of the moment.

Baggao said as of March 22, 2020,  there are 39 PUIs presently admitted at the CVMC. From January to present, a total of 117 PUI were admitted, 52 were already discharged, 52 were tested negative while others are awaiting laboratory result from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

While CVMC at present has adequate consultants managing three teams to attend to PUIs, Baggao said private hospitals have already committed to augment health staff if necessary.

At present, CVMC's 74 private rooms were converted into isolation or quarantine rooms, with 16 separate rooms designated for COVID-19 positive patients should there be.

"Meron tayong 16 separate rooms for COVID positive patients. Sana hindi na malagyan lahat yun, sana ito na yung first and last," Baggao said.

On the other hand, Dr. James Guzman, Tuguegaro City health officer, said with the first positive case in the region, all are advised to observe strict home quarantine

Guzman said patient PH275's wife, parents, son and the tricycle driver who brought the patient to the Divine Mercy Wellness Center (DMWC) are now place under strict home quarantine.

He added that contact tracing of the confirmed case is now currently being undertaken by a team from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit and personnel from the City Health Office of Tuguegarao, where close contacts have been identified and are now being closely monitored.(MDCT/GVB/PIA 2-Cagayan)

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1036858