Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire (File photo)
MANILA – The total number of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases among health care workers has reached 2,165 as 40 more persons contracted the disease.
Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the number of health care workers infected with Covid-19 started to drop on April 11.
"Of the total number, 1,393 are active cases, lower than the recorded 1,421 active cases yesterday. We're happy to report that we have not recorded any death due to Covid-19 among our health care workers yesterday. The total number of deaths among our health care workers is 35," Vergeire said in a mix of English and Filipino during a virtual press briefing on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the total number of health care workers who recovered from the disease rose to 737.
As of May 13, the DOH reported that the total number of nurses infected with Covid-19 stood at 790, with 652 doctors or physicians, 133 nursing assistants, 75 medical technologists, 40 radiologic technologists, and 219 non-medical staff.
For the emergency hiring of health care workers, the DOH has received a total of 127 facility requests as of May 13.
"We already have 4,884 slots approved for hiring in 110 hospitals and quarantine facilities, Philippine Arena Covid-19 facility, and QI (Quezon Institute) temporary quarantine facility. We have 1,323 personnel hired in 19 hospitals and quarantine facilities," she said.
Of the total number of hired personnel, about 131 are doctors or physicians; 346 are nurses; 157 are medical technologists; 31 are respiratory therapists; 54 are radiologic technologists; 3 are medical equipment technicians; 257 are nursing attendants; 51 are administrative assistants; 100 are administrative aides; and 193 belong to other designations.
She said redeployed were 751 nurses under the DOH Nurses Deployment Program, 162 in Luzon and 589 in the Visayas and Mindanao. (PNA)
