Department of Health (DOH) announced Friday that there are already 766 health workers who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In a virtual presser on the latest COVID-19 situation, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the health workers infected with the coronavirus include 339 medical doctors and 242 nurses.
Vergeire did not give details on the exact professions of the remaining 185 health care workers. She also added that based on their records, 22 of these healthcare professionals have already died because of the dreaded disease.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families left behind by the healthcare workers died due to COVID-19,” said Vergeire.
Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, health workers infected with COVID-19 will get Php 100,000 and their hospitalization will be shouldered by Philhealth. Those who have died will get P1,000,000 grant.
As of 4 P.M. of April 17, DOH reported that there are 218 new cases of COVID-19, while 52 more patients were able to recover from the disease and 25 more deaths.
This brings the total to 5,878 confirmed cases, 387 deaths, and 487 recoveries.