DROP-OFF AREA. Designated staffers of the government-run Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) arrange the plastic baskets at the drop-off area where families of patients can send food, clothing, and other needs as the ZCMC implemented on Monday (Oct. 18, 2021) the "one watcher policy" to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). The ZCMC implemented the policy after non-Covid-19 wards patients and watchers tested positive for the virus. (Photo courtesy of ZCMC) ZAMBOANGA CITY - The government-owned Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) implemented on Monday a policy allowing only one watcher per patient at its non-coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) wards. Dr. Afdal Kunting, ZCMC chief of hospital, said Monday they implemented the "one watcher policy" to control the number and movement of people going in and out of the hospital who could potentially contribute to the spread of the Covid-19 virus. "This policy came into consideration after (sever
DROP OFF AREA. Designated staffers of the government-run Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) arrange the plastic baskets at the drop-off area where families of patients can send food, clothing, and other needs as the ZCMC implemented on Monday (Oct. 18, 2021) the "one watcher policy" to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). The ZCMC implemented the policy after non-Covid-19 wards patients and watchers tested positive for the virus. (Photo courtesy of ZCMC) ZAMBOANGA CITY - The government-owned Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) implemented on Monday a policy allowing only one watcher per patient at its non-coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) wards. Dr. Afdal Kunting, ZCMC chief of hospital, said Monday they implemented the "one watcher policy" to control the number and movement of people going in and out of the hospital who could potentially contribute to the spread of the Covid-19 virus. "This policy came into consideration after (sever
Facade of the City Hall of Zamboanga (PNA file photo) ZAMBOANGA CITY - The local Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has approved a resolution Wednesday afternoon recommending to place this city under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from October 15 to 31 given the surge in Covid-19 cases. On Thursday, Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, local IATF on Covid-19 chief implementer, said the resolution will be submitted to the Regional IATF for endorsement to the national IATF for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), which will make the final decision. The MECQ is a stricter classification compared to the general community quarantine (GCQ), which is the current quarantine status of this city. "We will see to it that the paper works will be done immediately to submit the resolution the soonest time to the RIATF and of course for it to be forwarded to the NIATF," Apolinario said citing there are processes to be followed.
Facade of Zamboanga City Medical Center ZAMBOANGA CITY - The chief of the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) on Wednesday urged the public to strictly comply with health protocols, stressing that the spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases here has overburdened the already stretched medical facility. "The Covid situation now is worse than last year. More people are getting infected and most of them are in critical condition. That is why we strongly appeal for your cooperation to strictly following the minimum health standards," said Dr. Afdal Kunting in a video message posted on the city government's Facebook page. Kunting said the Covid-19 situation in this city can only be addressed if people will work together to fight the virus. The Covid-19 data tracker showed that there are 16,657 confirmed Covid-19 cases in this city with 13,706 recoveries, 2,199 active cases, and 752 deaths as of October 5. Kunting disclosed that they are also experiencing a shortage
Zamboanga City Medical Center(File photo) ZAMBOANGA CITY -The government-run Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) is set to open one more ward for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients by converting a portion of the pediatric ward to Covid-19 ward. Dr. Afdal Kunting, ZCMC chief of hospital, said Saturday they have requested the Department of Health (DOH) regional office to augment their personnel to man the additional Covid-19 ward. Kunting said the opening of additional ward will increase the Covid-19 bed capacity of ZCMC to 225 from the current 200 beds. "We will open a new area where to place patients of Covid-19," Kunting said. Meanwhile, data released Saturday by ZCMC's Public Affairs and Customers Care Unit (PACCU) showed that the medical facility's Covid building and wards are operating at full capacity since there are 202 admitted patients. The data also showed that 174 of the 202 Covid-19 patients are adults while the remaining 28 are minors. Without s