The Philippine General Hospital in Manila has debunked rumors that most of the recently admitted COVID-19 patients in the country contracted the dreaded disease in groceries.
PGH said there is “no such observed trend” with the COVID-19 positive patients admitted in their hospital.
“The two most important risk factors noted are (1) travel history from areas with known local transmission, and (2) close contact with COVID-19 (+) patients,” PGH said.
The statement came after several Filipinos online, including a celebrity, shared the false information on various social media platforms.
“We encourage everyone to verify posts in social media and believe only the ones shared from official channels,” the PGH said.
The hospital management urged the public to practice social distancing and frequent handwashing, among other guidelines, to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The Department of Health reported 76 new COVID-19 cases in the country the other day, bringing the total number to 3,094. One-hundred forty-four died and 57 have recovered.
CONVERSION COMPLETE
The conversion of the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila into a quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients will be completed and operational today, National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
Galvez, in a teleconference with doctors from private hospitals in Manila, said the PGH will then transfer its COVID-19 positive asymptomatic and symptomatic patients to RMC tomorrow.
“The Rizal Memorial Complex will be operationalized by Monday. We will inspect it and ensure the quality of its facilities,” he told the doctors. (Minka Tiangco and Argyll Geducos)
