Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, reminded that the presentation of the negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result before admission to the public and private hospitals in Davao City is still required amid the relaxation of health restrictions in the city.
“We are still implementing that. Yes, there is a pagluag sa atoang mga health protocols but this is still strictly implemented and the reason behind this, it is already been discussed by the Covid-19 Task Force as well as mga hospital owners and directors,” Schlosser said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Friday.
It can be recalled that former Mayor Sara Duterte issued Executive Order No. 53 Series of 2020 or an order requiring mandatory Covid-19 RT-PCR testing for patients referred to hospitals in Davao City and for other purposes.
Section 1 states the testing requirements that include a negative RT-PCR are mandatory for admission and surgery in Davao City hospitals to protect the healthcare workers of non-Covid-19 hospitals from unnecessary exposure to Covid-19 positive patients.
“The reason behind we are still requiring negative RT-PCR tests upon admission kay kinahanglan nato ma ensure that who we are admitting is Covid-free. Imagine that they will be mixed up with sick people dali ra matakdan kay they are sick and mas mubo ang ilahang immune system and they can still easily get the infection. Imagine if you will mix the Covid patients sa mga masakiton nga dili Covid patients the infection will be a lot faster. Dili nato gusto na dili ma test ang admission na tao or patients because we will be putting the lives of other patients at risk.
This is also for the safety of the patients and other patients. For the safety of the kauban niya na pasyente sa hospital,” Schlosser said.
Schlosser clarified that only the patients to be admitted are required to present a negative RT-PCR test result and watchers are no longer included in the requirement.
She also clarified that the RT-PCR test is free of charge for patients to be admitted at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) but for private hospitals, it will be from the pockets of the patients.
