At least 6 Philippine Heart Center doctors test positive for COVID-19

At least six doctors from the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the health facility's executive director Dr. Joel Abanilla said on Tuesday.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Abanilla said the number includes deceased cardiologists Dr. Israel Bactol and Dr. Raul Diaz Jara.

“As of now, we have six other doctors who are also positive. Of course, mawala na diyan si Jara at tsaka si Bactol. So may apat,” he said.

Abanilla: We have six other doctors (including Bactol, Jara) who are positive [for COVID-19].

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) March 24, 2020

According to Abanilla, the other four infected doctors are relatively well.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) confirmed the death of its former president Dr. Jara, whom it described as "a great father, teacher, mentor, poet, author, singer, colleague, friend.”

Abanilla said the safety officers of the hospital are now tracking the contacts of Jara to determine how he caught the infection.

On Sunday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said the Department of Health is investigating reports that a doctor died after a patient lied about medical condition and history of travel or exposure to COVID-19.

“Sila po ay mataas ang tsansa na mahawa kung hindi po kayo magsasabi ng totoo,” she said.

“Isa lang naman panawagan natin sa community: Maaari lang po i-disclose niyo po ang compete information niyo. If you don’t disclose, ang malalagay naman sa peligro ay ang ating health workers,” she said in a separate interview.

On Monday DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said doctors who died in the line of duty in the fight against COVID-19 are heroes. 

He added they will be given the proper honor in due time. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News