Health workers called on entrepreneurs to decongest or reduce the number of people entering offices and other workplaces in the face of the ever-increasing numbers of those infected with COVID-19.
“For business and industry leaders, request po sana namin kung puwede po muna ma-decongest ang mga workplace. Bawasan po muna ang mga pumapasok,” said Dr. Aileen Espina of Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC).
“If we can implement staggered work hours para hindi po sabay-sabay ang pasok ng mga trabahador,” she added.
Espina also requested that if possible, ventilation should be arranged in workplaces, which will be a big help to prevent the spread of the virus.
Earlier, it was seen in Quezon City that COVID-19 is often transmitted in the workplace and employees bring the virus home to their respective homes.
Like the Philippine College of Physicians, the HPAAC also believes that there is no need yet to demand a “time out” or more stringent lockdown.
The group suggested to local governments to implement a lockdown in one area once they see signs of an outbreak.
“Let’s stop blaming the people. They’re doing everything they can to comply kaya lang we force them into crowds,” said Dr. Tony Dans of HPAAC.
Health workers appeal to decongest workplaces
According to Dans, the occupancy of intensive care units in COVID-19 referral hospitals is now 80 percent while the occupancy of ICUs throughout Metro Manila is 50 percent.
Although there is no “time out,” Dans said health workers would not hesitate to call it again if necessary.
“Kung dumadaing na ang aming mga kasamahan, we will request for that. But I think we won’t have to kasi sinabi naman ng Malacanang that they are ready to call for a lockdown if necessary,” said Dans.
At Providence Hospital in Quezon, there are 15 beds reserved for patients affected by COVID-19.
Although they do not have as many patients as in larger hospitals, all the health workers of the hospital are still busy at work.
“On a daily basis, there is a lineup averaging 2 to 3 patients a day awaiting to be admitted because that necessitates admission. We are already in our fully capacity when it comes to admissions, both in the critical units as well as that in the ward units,” said Providence Hospital medical chief Dr. Lysander Ragodon.