DOH assessing if NCR health workers can be deployed in other regions amid surge in COVID-19 cases

The Department of Health is still assessing the possibility of deploying Metro Manila health workers to other regions where there is an increase in the number of COVID-19 infections.

At a virtual press briefing on Monday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said hospitals in Metro Manila are still under moderate risk level so the DOH is still determining if health workers can be sent to hospitals in other regions.

"Isa 'yan sa strategies na puwede nating gawin. Sa ngayon ang ginagawa natin mina-mapa natin, we are trying to assess the different capacities of our regions, especially our hospitals in regions where there are high number of cases," she said.

(This is one of the strategies that we might do. At present, we are mapping out, we are trying to assess the different capacities of our regions, especially our hospitals in regions where there are high number of cases.)

"Alam naman natin kailangan nating balansehin because the National Capital Region also is trying to balance 'yun pong ating pagkawala o pagbaba ng kaso pero hindi pa rin po ganoon kaluwag ang ating mga ospital. Nasa moderate risk level pa rin po ang ating mga ospital," Vergeire explained.

(We know that there is still a need to balance the situation in NCR as our hospitals are still at moderate risk level.)

So far, Vergeire said the DOH has sent medical supplies, protective gears, and  medicines to hospitals outside NCR that need assistance.

"Titingnan natin kung ano po 'yung mga kakulangan nila, actually nagpadala na po tayo ng mga kagamitan, ng mga PPEs, ng mga gamot, at saka 'yung mga pondo po hinahanda na rin para maibigay sa ating mga ospital na nangangailangan sa ngayon," she said.

(We will determine their needs. Actually, we have sent supplies, PPEs, as well as medicines, and we are already preparing the funds to help these hospitals.)

The OCTA Research Group has monitored a “significant” rise in COVID-19 cases in some areas outside Metro Manila, including Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, and Iloilo City.

Davao City was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine due to the spike of cases.

According to the Palace, the surge in infections was due to increased community transmission.—AOL, GMA News