BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City, Negros Occidental has returned to normal operations. Most of its staff that contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have recovered.
Of the 100 medical and support staff that either became ill or got exposed to COVID-19 patients, only 38 remained isolated as of Feb. 3, according to Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz.
However, the management of TLJPH explained that all referrals must still be coursed through the One Hospital System via the patients’ respective city or municipal health office.
Earlier in January, TLJPH was forced to suspend all regular cases after their staff which included doctors, nurses, and medical support staff underwent quarantine or treatment for COVID-19.
Among the services that were directly impacted by the suspension were the hospital’s Outpatient Department (OPD), and their COVID-19 vaccination center.
Admissions at the hospital have also been limited to extreme emergency cases only.
In another development, Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson decided to retain the province’s current travel protocols even though the National Capital Region (NCR) and its surrounding areas were de-escalated to Alert Level 2.
NCR’s new alert level took effect on Feb. 1.
According to Lacson, passengers bound for destinations in Negros Occidental will be required to present a negative rapid antigen test within 48 hours of their scheduled departure.
The rule applies to all Negros Occidental-bound travelers entering via the Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City, and the BREDCO Port in Bacolod City.
In case passengers cannot go to a laboratory at their point of origin, Lacson said travelers will have the option to get the rapid antigen test upon their arrival instead.
Lacson said the option must be indicated by the travelers when applying via the S-PaSS system./PN