The daily tally of new and active COVID-19 cases may be decreasing, but the country’s frontline health workers are entreating Filipinos not to let their guard down, especially during the holidays.
In Maki Pulido’s “24 Oras” report, emergency room nurse Agnes Laguian says she was very worried about contracting the virus while caring for patients.
“Talagang takot na takot ako kasi I am a cancer survivor. Yung takot na ‘yon talagang apektado sa akin at sa pamilya ko rin dahil may possibility na maiuwi ang virus,” she said.
(I am really scared because I am a cancer survivor and it might affect me and my family because there’s a possibility that I can bring the virus home.)
But Laguian has become less anxious, with the decline in COVID-19 cases. From 10 to 20 COVID-19 patients being admitted daily to Marikina’s Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, where she works, the number has gone down to one or two a day.
ARMMC has also recorded zero cases of COVID-19 among its health workers.
For the Christmas season, Laguian called on the public to follow safety protocols against the virus.
“Puwede ipagdiwang siya nang hindi na-va-violate ang protocol [It can be celebrated without violating protocols,],” she said.
Dr. Karen Fresco, head of ER in ARMMC, said they will not let their guard down because of the threat of the new variants.
“As a hospital we are not letting our guard down kahit bababa na ang kaso [even if cases are declining]. We are continuing to be on guard for a probable surge,” Fresco said.
At the National Kidney and Transplant Institute—where no new COVID-19 cases have been admitted in the last five days—executive director Dr. Rose Marie Liquete said that vaccinations have helped ease their load. “A lot of patients now are vaccinated so that is one defense that we have against COVID. We encourage everyone to have vaccination,” she said.
Even as infections decrease, Philippine General Hospital in Manila is still asking the public to go to the hospital for emergencies only.
“Nakikiusap kami na kung puwede ‘yung mga talagang real emergencies muna ang pumunta sa PGH, ‘yung may life- and limb-threatening emergencies. Kasi po maraming backlog ng patients na nasa ER ngayon,” PGH spokesman Dr. Jonas del Rosario said.
(We are asking that only real emergencies will be entertained at PGH. Because we still have backlogs in the ER.)
As of Tuesday, the country’s total caseload was at 2,835,345 including 49,591 deaths and 2,772,728 recoveries. It also recorded 356 new cases, the lowest since July 2020. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News
Health workers urge public: Don t let your guard down during Christmas season
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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