To date, the Davao Region has catered to over 50 Patients Under Investigation (PUI) where out of that number, 29 patients have been discharged. Currently, there are 21 PUIs who are admitted to two government hospitals in Davao City where one tested positive for COVID-19.
With the first PUI who tested positive for the said disease in Region XI, the Department of Health Davao Center for Health Development (DOH DCHD) and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte have advised all local chief executives in Region XI to establish isolation facilities within their respective localities.
The Chief of Hospital for the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) Doctor Bryan Dalid emphasized that the establishment of quarantine areas all over the region is one of the main priorities of local governments in Region XI so as to properly deliver health services to patients.
“Tertiary hospitals should not be overwhelmed and all patients should not be admitted to said hospitals because there is a way to decentralize the number of patients without sacrificing the service that will be given to those patients since the Department of Health will be there to guide the personnel who are tasked to take care of PUIs,” Dr. Dalid said in the vernacular.
Doctor Dalid also discussed how setting up said quarantine facilities is feasible while maintaining the standards in containing the spread of COVID-19.
“The minimum requirement is a single room with a comfort room or restroom and a closed door and an open window – meaning to say that there is enough air exchange or ventilation,” Dr. Dalid said.
The DOH DCHD will guarantee sufficient assistance in helping local governments all over Region XI in setting up PUI facilities so that the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC) and the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) can focus on confirmed cases of COVID-19.
“If and when our local government units will have their PUI facilities … it would greatly help the Davao Regional Medical Center by decongesting the number of admitted patients and we can concentrate on those moderate to severe patients,” Dr. Dalid said. (Kevin Caro PIA)