UP develops software to allow isolated PGH COVID-19 patients to talk to loved ones
MANILA, Philippines — Recovery from COVID-19 forces infected patients to be isolated from their families, so the University of the Philippines (UP) thought of allowing them to talk to, and see the faces of, their families while in isolation.
The university developed a “tele-bisita” or “e-dalaw” (electronic visitation) software for COVID-19 patients recovering in UP-Philippine General Hospital.
“COVID-19 patients are not just numbers or statistics. They are people who are loved and who love their families. They can now talk to their loved ones while in the hospital,” the UP College of Medicine wrote on Facebook.
The UP College of Medicine Surgical Innovations and Biotechnology Laboratory developed tele-presence computers for use in PGH, UP College of Medicine added.
Teams from UP Diliman and Manila collaborated for the telepresence project. Xavier School alumni Batch ’75 donated computer sets and stands.
A 24 Oras report, meanwhile, quoted Dr. Jonas del Rosario, PGH spokesperson, as saying that patients who were able to talk to their families become happier.
“We saw that our patients lighten up. They are happy, they are relieved,” Del Rosario said in Filipino.
There are four laptops being used in PGH. Sessions run for 30 minutes each patient, the GMA report added.
He, however, explained that the electronic dalaw is only allowed for patients showing mild to moderate symptoms, and not those who are staying at the Intensive Care Unit.
There are currently 101 COVID-19 patients admitted to PGH. 16 are deemed mild cases, while 48 are classified as moderate.
23 have so far recovered and whose conditions have improved from patients under PGH care.
National tally of COVID-19 infections in the country is at 5,223. Death toll is at 335 while 295 have so far recovered.
Photo shows members of the Philippine National Police deployed in Manila amid COVID-19 threat. The STAR/Edd Gumban
President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2020 declares an enhanced community quarantine over all of mainland Luzon, an expansion of an earlier general community quarantine over the National Capital Region.
The entire National Capital Region—16 cities and a municipality—is under community quarantine from March 15 to April 14, which means the enforcement of social distancing measures like letting fewer people on public transportation, reduced store hours, and the possibiity of curfews.
According to a memorandum issued by the Palace on Saturday, March 14, the quarantine means that "movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and work; and uniformed personnel and quarantine officers shall be present at border points."
Travel restrictions in and out of the capital will also be implemented.
A labor group says another lockdown will never resolve rising COVID-19 cases in the Philippines after the government announced that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under the enhanced community quarantine starting Monday.
“The Duterte government seems to be deliberate in focusing its efforts in imposing quarantine and lockdown measures instead of addressing the rising cases of COVID-19 and the worsening state of the pandemic through medical solutions and scientific approach,” says Defend Jobs Philippines.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says the implementation of enhanced community quarantine is meant to slow down the increase of COVID-19 cases, so hospitals and health workers will not be overwhelmed.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announces that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under enhanced community quarantine starting Monday, March 29.
Tuguegarao City will be placed under enhanced community quarantine from January 20 to 29 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba approved the request of Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano to place the city under ECQ for 10 days.
According to the Cagayan Provincial Information Office, the city currently has 246 active cases.
BREAKING NEWS | ENERO 19, 2021 RIATF INAPRUBAHAN NA ANG PAGSASAILALIM SA TUGUEGARAO CITY SA 10-ARAW NA...
Posted by Cagayan Provincial Information Office on Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Batangas, one of the provinces hardest hit by the novel coronavirus, has reported no new cases of the disease for two consecutive days.
The provincial DOH Office says the number of COVID-19 cases in the province stood at 91 with no new cases as of Wednesday afternoon.
Lipa City has the most cases with 26, followed by Batangas City (21) and Nasugbu (11).
Tanauan City has the fourth most cases with eight, followed by Bauan (5) and Alitagtag (3). Cuenca and Sto. Tomas City had two cases each, while the municipalities of Calaca, Lemery, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Padre Garcia, San Jose, San Juan, San Pascual and Taal had one case each, respectively. — The Filipino Connection
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