DOH distributes 56,000 N95, 59,000 surgical masks

The DOH announced that it has distributed 56,000 N95 masks and 59,000 surgical masks to frontline healthcare workers who are lacking personal protective equipment (PPE) and assured them that more supplies are on the way.

“Meron din pong ibang klaseng PPE tulad ng goggles or face shield, gowns, gloves, at boots. Ideally ay maibibigay natin itong lahat sa ating healthcare workers para po sila ay maproteksyunan,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

The Lung Center of the Philippines, one of the three initial COVID-19 referral hospitals tapped by the DOH, earlier sought donations of PPEs from the public as their supply had run low.

The continued rise of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines has impacted the operations of several hospitals across Metro Manila with thousands of healthcare workers on quarantine after coming into contact with positive cases and supply of PPEs running out.

Meanwhile, Vergeire said that the DOH was looking into how to make use of the 125 evacuation centers which the Department of Public Works and Highways said could be converted into quarantine facilities.

Local government units had likewise opened facilities for persons under investigation for possible COVID-19 infection.

“Pinag-aaralan natin kung paano magagamit ang mga evacuation center alinsunod sa ating mga patakaran para sa pagma-manage ng COVID-19,” she said.

COVID-19 has so far claimed 33 lives and infected a total of 552 people nationwide. — DVM, GMA News