Following the National Strategy on addressing COVID19 in the Philippines, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), a COVID facility with a sub national laboratory catering to the entire Mindanao, is starting to put in place policies and procedures as part of embracing the new normal brought about by the corona virus pandemic.
Speaking at the One Davao on COVID19 Virtual Presser yesterday (May 5), SPMC’s Chief Training Officer Dr. Maria Elinore Concha bared that the SPMC is now preparing for its new normal operations.
“ We will then have tele-appointments by virtual consultations as we still remain a COVID hospital while some units of the facility continue to operate for non-COVID,” Dr. Concha said.
SPMC will also impose unauthorized entry zones for its COVID units. A strict disinfection will be conducted prior the opening of the said facility.
“Amongst our staff and those who will be entering the facility will be asked to declared their health condition to monitor symptoms. Temperature check and establishing handwashing zones will be part of the new normal at SPMC”.
Dr. Concha highlighted that based on the World Health Organization document guiding countries to prepare and embrace the new normal, it is not just the sole role of the COVID facility, but it has urged all sectors especially schools, workplaces, and other essential places must establish preventive measures.
As of May 4, the SPMC reported 126 confirmed cases. It also reports on its daily bulletin the number of cases per administrative district in Davao City. Buhangin has the most number of cases with 38; Talomo with 34 cases; Poblacion with 21; Agdao with 12; Toril with 7; and Talomo with 6.
SPMC also reported single case in each of these cities and municipalities outside Davao City: Matanao, Davao del Sur, Digos, Davao del Sur, Cagayan de Oro City, and Abra. (PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)