Gov’t doc tested positive for Covid-19

LEGAZPI CITY --- A 32-year old female doctor of the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) here was tested positive of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Bicol’s 45th Covid-19 patient, from Legazpi City, is the first physician in the Bicol region to have contracted the virus, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Sunday, May 3.

The patient, according to DOH, works as an internist at the BRTTH. The physician was a close contact of another Covid-19 patient who is also a healthcare worker.

Dr. Rogelio “Butch” Rivera, BRTTH director said that several health workers have been tested positive of the virus aside from the increasing number of frontliners and patients. Contact tracing is underway.

The BRTTH in Legazpi City, as one of the Covid-19 referral hospitals in Bicol region, is the most congested government hospital in the region. It is in need of more rooms to accommodate the increasing numbers of persons infected with Covid-19.

Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Elizaldy S. Co talks with Dr. Rogelio “Butch’ Rivera, BRTTH director during the turnover of temporary quarantine facility. (Rhaydz B. Barcia)

Recenly, Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Elizaldy S. Co and the Sunwest Care Foundation (SCFI) built a 22-bed temporary emergency quarantine facility at the BRTTH. The facility is airconditioned and provided with shower rooms.

The quarantine facility serves as holding area for suspected and probable Covid-19 patients. It has 22 beds, six lavatories, four toilets, handwashing sinks, and cubicles.

Aside from that, it has two nurse stations, a swabbing counter and separate entrance and exit for health personnel and patients.

Co said the facility follows the WTA Design Studio guidelines with an ambient environment controlled to suit patient requirement for Covid-19 in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) standards and temporary quarantine facility guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH).

He said the facility plays an important role in segregating regular BRTTH patients from those who are scheduled to undergo Covid-19 testing.

“We thank the SCFI and Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital for collaborating and ensuring the completion of this very important project. Together, we will fight Covid-19,” Co said.

Rivera lauded and expressed gratitude to Co for providing the BRTTH a temporary quarantine facility.