ANGELES CITY – Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. is requesting all private hospitals to provide temporary housing, food, regular rapid and swab tests, and risk-allowance for their medical staff assigned to COVID-19 patients.
“Akin pong ipinag-utos na dapat lahat ng kanilang medical staff na may kontak sa mga pasyenteng COVID-19 ay mabigyan ng pansamantalang tirahan ng pamunuan ng kanilang ospital,” Lazatin said.
“Kasabay nito, kailangan din silang mabigyan ng libreng pagkain, regular na rapid at swab tests, at risk allowance,” he added.
Hospitals which will not abide by the city government’s regulations will be reported to the Department of Health and Inter-Agency Task Force, Lazatin said.
“Ang sinumang ospital na hindi sumusunod sa mga protocol na ito ay irereport ng city government sa Department of Health at Inter-Agency Task Force para mapatawan ng karampatang parusa,” he reiterated.
Lazatin called for an emergency meeting with hospital owners and administrators on August 6, in order to discuss proper coordination and preparedness in accepting COVID-19 patients.
“Ito ay upang makontrol pansamantala ang galaw ng mga nasabing medical staff, at maiwasan muna ang pag-uwi sa kanilang mga bahay,” he appealed.
The city’s chief executive also underscored the gravity of the situation and the role of hospitals in the ongoing battle against COVID-19.
“Dapat ding makipagtulungan ang private hospitals sa city government at siguraduhin na nasusunod ang mg itinakdang safety at health protocols,” Lazatin furthered.
The city saw a surge in the number of COVID-19 positive cases last week, with 28 new cases being reported in only a span of 4 days.
Out of more than 170,000 households, the city has recorded a total of 105 confirmed cases, with 56 active COVID-19 cases, 43 recoveries, and 6 deaths.