2 gov’t hospitals suspend services in Nueva Vizcaya

By Leander Domingo

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya: Two hospitals managed by the provincial government have suspended their services due to the surge in Covid-19 cases.
    In the official Facebook page of Gov. Carlos Padilla, the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital (NVPH) announced the suspension of its outpatient services after a number of hospital staff were infected with the virus.
    "[The NVPH] hospital administration has decided to temporarily close the outpatient department and we will only cater to emergency cases until further notice," Dr. Arlene Jara, NVPH chief of hospital, said in the statement.
    Jara said the suspension was done to break the chain of transmission, allow time for recovery of affected personnel and disinfection of the hospital facilities.
    "We humbly ask the general public to inform family and friends of this development as to allow anyone seeking medical aid to proceed directly to the next nearest health institution," the hospital chief added.
    Likewise, the Diadi Emergency Hospital (DEH) in the municipality of Diadi has suspended its inpatient services due to the rapid rise of coronavirus cases.
    "We are suspending our inpatient services for non-Covid-19 cases. The hospital is at its maximum capacity and all hospital beds are now being utilized by Covid-19 positive patients," Dr. Jeffrey Barcena, DEH chief of hospital, said.
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    Barcena said the emergency and outpatient departments will still be open, but advised the public to go directly to other nearest healthcare facilities for cases needing hospitalization or confinement.
    According to a report released by the Dept. of Health Region 2 on Wednesday, there are 10 new Delta variant cases in the province. Bayombong has four cases, Aritao (2), and Dupax del Norte, Kasibu, Bagabag and Bambang with one each.
    With 15 municipalities, the province has recorded a total 9,245 Covid-19 confirmed cases with 8,162 recovered and 260 deaths while active cases rose to 823 as of Wednesday.
    According to Padilla, a joint resolution adopted by the Provincial Health Board and Provincial Task Group Covid-19 has imposed an inter-municipal movement requiring non-authorized persons outside residence to secure travel passes from their respective barangay (village) captains.
    Padilla said the travel pass must specifically provide the name of the person upon whom the same was issued, the purpose of travel and the duration of its validity.