DOH: Number of COVID-positive health workers now at 1,619 with 33 deaths

The number of healthcare workers who have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the line of duty has climbed to 1,619, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Thursday.

The infected health workers are composed of 604 nurses, 557 doctors, 99 nursing assistants, 63 medical technologists, 31 radiologic technologists, 18 midwives, 17 respiratory therapists, and 13 pharmacists.

The remaining 217 are other frontline workers such as barangay health workers, administrative aides, and utility workers.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also reported that one more medical professional has succumbed to COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 33.

Among these fatalities were 24 doctors and seven nurses.

Meanwhile, 250 healthcare professionals have already recovered from the respiratory disease.

“Patuloy po ang ating ginagawang mga aktibidad upang masiguro na protektado ang ating mga healthcare workers laban sa COVID-19,” Vergeire said.

The DOH also reported that only 1.4%  or 18 out of more than 1,300 healthcare workers in Ospital ng Makati tested positive for COVID-19.

The Lung Center of the Philippines, on the other hand, has not reported any new case of COVID-19 among their healthcare workers since March 28.

“Makakaasa po ang ating mga healthcare workers na hindi titigil ang ating DOH sa pagprotekta [sa kanila] upang sa susunod ay maibalita na natin na wala nang healthcare worker na nagkakasakit sa COVID-19,” Vergeire said. — RSJ, GMA News