HOSPITALS in Metro Manila are seeing a fresh spike in COVID-19 cases, infecting personnel as well.

Dr. Ted Martin, director of Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center in Manila, disclosed that some 50 staff have tested positive for the virus, prompting the management to temporarily stop accepting services in its emergency room and laboratory as general disinfection of the area is done.

“Mostly are mga nag-family gatherings, …wala naman kaming Christmas party sa ospital. Kaya kami nag-mass testing, baka kami pa ang manghawa sa pasyente,” he said.

Martin assured that other departments in the hospital are open.

Meanwhile, Dr. Alfonso Famaran Jr., Medical Center Chief II, of the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium in Caloocan City, one of the COVID hospitals, said there were 25 COVID-19 patients but when the new year came, the cases rose to 163.

“Mas marami ho ang moderate case, ang critical ho, 5 lang. Nasa 65-70 percent fully vaccinated,” he said.

Famaran added that 26 of the hospital personnel were also found positive for COVID-19.

“Sarado na po ‘yung ospital namin sa OPD services saka emergency room services para i-convert na namin sa COVID ward,” he further added.

Bong Padua, Malabon City public information officer, said the Ospital ng Malabon has been on lockdown since Jan. 2 until Jan. 4 after 19 of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Padua said COVID-19 cases in the hospital also more than doubled, from 100 before Christmas to 240 active cases at present.

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute, on the other hand, has 33 COVID-19 positive patients; 16 of its health workers are under quarantine.

Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete, NKTI Executive Director, said the hospital emergency room remains open. She added the hospital is prepared to set up tents if cases surge.

“Dapat alagaan ang pamilya kasi doon ho nagsisimula yan. May lumabas lang na isa sa pamilya, doon nag-party, dadalhin nya sa bahay ang virus,” she said.

The Medical City in Pasig reported 30 COVID-19 cases, while the Lunge Center of the Philippines has 22 cases. Eleven of its personnel also tested positive.

The Philippine General Hospital in Manila has 162 COVID-19 cases, several of its staff were also found positive.

The Department of Health said the Philippines is now again classified as “high risk” for COVID-19 following the sharp increase in cases in the past few days.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the increase in positivity rate was seen in all regions of the country.

In a related development, OCTA Research said new Philippine COVID-19 infections are expected to reach 6,000 on Jan. 4 as Metro Manila’s positivity rate climbed to 34.7%.

Dr. Guido David said even with the low testing capacity, new cases in Metro Manila may also increase to 5,000.

“Even with lower testing, there is a possibility that the country may record 5000 up to 6000 new cases on January 4, with 4000 to 5000 in the NCR,” he said on Twitter.

David said the positivity rate in Metro Manila went up to 34.7% from 28.7%.

“The previous high in positivity rate was 29.6% on April 2, 2021,” he noted.