DOH amends protocol, algorithm on COVID-19 PUIs
(Eagle News) – The Department of Health (DOH) has changed its protocol and algorithm on the persons to be given tests for COVID-19 to include medical and health practitioners who are waging the war against the virus in the frontlines.
Health Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire said that health workers, including doctors and nurses, who exhibit even mild respiratory symptoms of the disease should be immediately tested for COVID-19 to stem the spread of the virus.
Vergeire, in a virtual presser on March 31, said that the DOH changed its policy and algorithm so that health personnel are included among the vulnerable sectors, and are already considered persons under investigation (PUIs) who should be immediately tested for COVID-19.
Even those with mild symptoms should be tested, Vergeire stressed, as she appealed for all health care facilities to take care of its workers.
“Kasama na po sila ngayon sa ating protocol (They are already included in our protocol),” Vergeire said referring to the country’s health workers.
“Amin pong ina-amyenda ang aming polisiya kung saan ang patients under investigation (PUIs) kasama na po ngayon ang lahat ng ating health care workers na may simtomas (We are amending our policy so that all our health care workers with symptoms are already considered patients under investigation),” she said.
-DOH notes complaints about health care facilities refusing to test workers –
Vergeire noted that the DOH has received reports that some medical and health care facilities are refusing to give COVID-19 tests to some health workers although they have been already clearly exhibiting symptoms.
“So nakikusap po kami sa ating mga health care facilities. Nung isang araw po, may tumatawag po sa aming mga health care workers na meron na p o silang mga simtomas at sila po ay exposed, ngunit ayaw pa rin po ng ating mga health care facilities na sila po ay i-test,” she said.
(So we are appealing to our health care facilities. The other day, some of our health care workers have been calling us to say that they already have symptoms and they have been exposed. But some of the health care facilties stil refused to have them tested)
“Pangalagaan po natin ang ating health care workers (Let’s take care of our health care workers). Kasama na po sila sa ating protocol kung sinu-sino ang puedeng i-test, kung mayroon na po silang simtomas kasama sa vulnerable population (They are already in our protocol as to who should be tested if they already have symptoms. They are already part of the vulnerable population),” Vergeire said.
The DOH official urged all health care facilities in the country to test its health care workers who have exhibited mild symptoms.
“Kahit mild lang po, kuhahan na po sila ng tests, atin silang pangalagaan,” Vergeire said.
She said that this is part of the DOH’s strategy of strengthened contact tracing and isolating those who may have already been infected by the virus.
She said that they won’t stop until there is zero transmission of COVID-19.
(Eagle News Service)
