COVID-19 cases double at NKTI, demand for testing rises at Cardinal Santos

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City on Wednesday said that from 33 on Monday, the number of COVID-19 patients admitted in its facility rose to 62 on Tuesday.

“Kahapon nagkaroon kami ng 62 na admitted o active cases ng COVID sa ating ospital [Yesterday, we had 62 admitted or active cases of COVID-19 in our hospital],” NKTI executive director Dr. Rose Marie Liquete said in a radio interview.

Earlier, NKTI announced that it will close its outpatient services starting January 7, Friday, until further notice. All consultation during this period will shift to telehealth services.

Liquete said four patients are in the intensive care unit.

Furthermore, 34 healthcare workers in the facility are positive for COVID-19 and currently in quarantine.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City noticed an increase in the demand for COVID-19 testing in its facility after the holiday season.

In an advisory, Cardinal Santos said that it will do the best practices in infection control.

“We noticed an increased demand for COVID-19 testing right after the holidays,” the hospital said.

“We would like to assure the public and our patients that Cardinal Santos MC has been consistent in implementing the best practices for infection control across our medical facilities,” it added. — BM, GMA News