DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Department of Health 11 has identified local facilities to admit patients with symptoms of coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) or persons under investigation (PUI) if a spike in the number of patients happens soon.
In a meeting with local leaders, Dr. Annabele Yumang, DOH- 11 Regional Director, said that these facilities are different from the tertiary hospitals such as the Southern Philippine Medical Center and the Davao Regional Medical Center that were earlier identified to treat patients with Covid-19.
“Our local government units, particularly in the province level, have already identified facilities where they can put their PUI. These are now called PUI centers, “said Yumang.
PUI centers were set up to help decongest Southern Philippine Medical Center and the Davao Regional Medical Center while they focus on treating confirmed patients with Covid-19.
Yumang also added that dedicating the facility for PUIs can decrease the chances of transmission of the virus.
“Once we gain control of the areas where these patients are admitted, the lesser (the disease will) spread,” said Dr. Bryan Dalid, chief of Davao Regional Medical Center.
As of March 15, the Davao region has 50 PUIs, 21 are still admitted in the hospital while 29 have all been discharged.
There are also 717 cases of Persons Under Monitoring (PUM), with 158 of them being declared cleared of the disease while 558 are under observation.
DOH-11 has already confirmed the first Covid-19 patient in the region after a 21-year-old female tested positive of the virus.
That person traveled from the United Kingdom and had a layover in Doha, Qatar to Manila before she arrived in Davao last February 29. (davaotoday.com)
