RITM resumes full operations as infected staff recover

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) has resumed its full operations after staff who were infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovered.

“Magandang balita po na sa ngayon, walang admitted sa mga empleyado ng RITM,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at a virtual press briefing on Sunday.

“Meron na lang pong dalawang staff na tinatapos na lang ang kanilang quarantine period,” she added.

The RITM, the country’s national reference laboratory and biggest COVID-19 testing center, earlier had to scale down its operations after some 40 staff tested positive for the respiratory disease. 

Thirty-one of the infected staff have since tested negative twice for the disease. 

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also visited the RITM on Friday to check on the staff and facilities, according to Vergeire.

“Binibigyan po ng buong suporta ng pamahalaan ng RITM, maging ng DOH, ang mga staff natin upang matugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailang pangkalusugan sa ngayon,” she said. — LA, GMA News