SOUTHERN Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) said the number of frontliners who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (Sars-CoV-2), the strain of coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease (Covid-19), is now at 19.

During the virtual presser on Tuesday, May 12, SPMC chief of clinics Dr. Ricardo Audan said that as of May 9, they have tested a total of 1,004 frontliners of SPMC. During the testing, 19 have turned out to be infected. Of this figure, 17 are directly treating the patients.

Audan did not mention how these recent confirmed cases of their health workers acquired the viral disease.

Out of the number of positive frontliners, two died due to underlying medical conditions. They are administrative staff of SPMC.

He said they are prioritizing the testing of their frontliners considering that they are most vulnerable to contracting the respiratory infection because of their exposure to the positive patients.

Audan, however, said only three are currently admitted at their facility - two medical doctors and a nurse who he said are in stable condition.

As of May 9, SPMC tested 6,263 individuals and 236 are positive for the viral disease.

Earlier, DOH Davao said that SPMC, one of the Covid-19 referral centers in Davao Region and identified as the subnational laboratory, has been allocated a total of 6,000 personal protective equipment (PPE).

SPMC thanked the government for their support to the frontliners in the fight against the pandemic through the bulk supply of PPE for their hospital. With this, it will help them be protected from the Covid-19 threat.

As of May 11, DOH reported a total of 1,991 workers who tested positive for Covid-19 with 584 recoveries and 34 deaths in the country.