THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Davao Region recorded its first Covid-19 death after one of its personnel succumbed to the disease several days before New Year.
BFP-Davao Chief Inspector Alex Pamaybay said in a radio interview on Monday, January 4, 2021, that the male fire personnel, a resident of Toril district, died on December 30, 2020 at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).
Pamaybay said that prior to the patient's death, the personnel was already admitted at SPMC after showing some symptoms linked to Covid-19.
The admitted personnel already had pre-existing medical conditions, which resulted in his untimely demise.
"Medyo nabug-atan nato siya tungod aduna na siya'y gamay'ng gibati nga nag-complicate (His condition was already complicated due to his pre-existing medical condition)," the official said.
Pamaybay also said they have a number of personnel who were also infected with the virus but have already recovered.
Pamaybay said they are not "exempted" from catching the sickness because they are also part of the auxiliaries in the Covid-19 response.
The fire official said that 40 personnel are currently deployed at SPMC to assist in the hospital's Covid-19 response.
"Nagacater sila sa atong Covid-19 patients. Mubalik ra ni sila sa atong opisina, until such time nga mahuman atong Covid-19. Sacrifice usa mi sa among personnel nga napulo nga naa ron sa SPMC (They are there to assist in catering to Covid-19 patients. They will return to our office once the pandemic is over. We have to make some sacrifices for now)," Pamaybay said.
He also said the BFP-Davao has deployed around 10 personnel assigned to swab patients and 20 personnel assisting in the decontaminating activities.