Fewer healthcare workers affected by COVID — DOH

MANILA, Philippines — The number of healthcare workers infected with coronavirus has been on a steady decline, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual press briefing on Friday that since April, “we have already seen a huge decrease in the number of healthcare worker infections.”

From 19.96 percent infected healthcare workers recorded on April 30, she noted that the number went down to 9.25 percent on June 29.

As of July 11, DOH data showed that healthcare workers infected with COVID-19 are at 6.72 percent. Of the 54,222 cases, 3,643 are medical frontliners.

Vergeire attributed the steady decline in the number of infected healthcare workers to the strict implementation of safety protocols. “We enhanced the implementation of our infection prevention and control measures in hospital settings, thus resulting in the decline in cases,” she said.

The official gave assurance of sufficient supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for all healthcare workers, hailed as “heroes” and recognized for spearheading the fight against the coronavirus disease.