Fabella hospital closes 4 units from October 24 to 27 for disinfection

The Doctor Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila will close some of units from October 24 to 27 for disinfection against the novel coronavirus.

“Upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga pasyente at empleyado ng Fabella sa darating na ika-24, 25, 26 at 27 ng Oktubre 2020 (Sabado, Linggo, Lunes at Martes), ang OB emergency room, pediatric emergency room at out-patient department ay pansamantalang isasara at hindi tatanggap ng pasyente upang magsagawa ng pang kalahatang paglilinis ng ospital,” the hospital said in a statement.

“Humihingi po kami ng pang-unawa sa kapanahunang ito. Maraming salamat po at ingat po tayong lahat,” the hospital added.

Dr. Esmeraldo Ilem, Medical Center Chief II of the hospital, confirmed to GMA News Online on Saturday that some of its resident doctors tested positive for COVID-19.

"7 of our OB-Gyn residents turned out to be covid 19 Positive from the swab done last October 20," he said. The results were released on Oct. 22.

"Close contacts including co-doctors, nurses and other personnel are being closely monitored," Ilem said, adding that they took swab tests and were advised to go on quarantine.

"Patients who have close contact with them will likewise be observed and subjected to swab test prior to discharge. For both personnel and patients, strict adherence to health safety protocol will be observed and complied with. Closure of services may be shortened depending on result of tests," he added.

The Philippines has recorded 365,799 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number, 312,691 have recovered while 6,915 died. The number of active COVID-19 cases is at 46,193.

Earlier, the OCTA Research team said the cities of Makati, Baguio, Mandaluyong, and Lucena in Quezon province are top high-risk areas for COVID-19 due to increasing number cases, as their critical care capacity is nearing to be maxed out at 100%. —With a report from Dona Magsino/LBG/KG, GMA News