When the COVID-19 surge hammered the country, health workers suffered from fatigue as they had no time for breaks while treating COVID-19 patients.
A “24 Oras” report by Jun Veneracion quoted nursing aide Robbie Juanitas Dedios who shared that sometimes there were no breaks during a 12-hour shift in the hospital.
“Mayroong time na hindi makakain, di makaihi, so hirap makatrabaho ang gutom at putok ang pantog,” said Dedios.
(There were times that I couldn’t eat or pee so it was definitely difficult to work when you are hungry and cannot use the toilet.)
But after cases dropped in November, Dedios and other health workers monitoring COVID-19 wards in General Santos City were able to find time for some mood-lifting moments, such as doing TikTok dances even while wearing their personal protective equipment.
“Stay happy po kahit medyo mahirap yung mga pinagdaanan natin kasi wala din naman pong idudulot ‘yung sadness o pagiging tired mo sa work,” said nurse Kim Mojado.
(We need to be happy even if there is a crisis because sadness or tiredness won’t help.)
East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City has gone down to operating three COVID-19 wards from five, after its patients were reduced from 20 to 30. This is a big reduction from the previous 100 to 50 admitted COVID-19 patients in the hospital.
In Ian Cruz’s “24 Oras” report, Justine Gayle Caguioa, a health worker in Pasig, said she finally had time to visit her family after cases declined.
“Noon, after work, pahinga na agad. Ngayon, nakakadaan kung saan saan like nakakabisita na sa family [Previously, I only went straight to bed to rest after work. Now, I can go anywhere and even visit my family],” she said.
GMA Research found that occupied COVID-19 ward beds fell from 28,796 in September 6 to 12 to 12,342 in November 1 to 7.
Number of utilized beds dropped as average fresh infections plummeted from over 20,000 in September 6 to 12 to 2,000 from November 1 to 7.
Stay vigilant
Despite this welcome development, Private Hospitals Association Philippines (PHAPi) reminded the public to be vigilant to prevent another virus surge especially in the Christmas season.
“Mag-ingat tayo ngayon. Sundin natin health protocols because otherwise pag hindi, baka mismong kapaskuhan magkaroon ng surge, eh kawawa naman, lalong hindi makakaklabas and mga tao,” said PHAPi president Dr. Jose Rene De Grano.
[Let’s be careful. Let’s follow health protocols, otherwise we might end up with a surge during Christmastime and people won’t be able to go out.] — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News
Pressure easing on COVID-19 wards as cases drop, but health workers warn vs. complacency
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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