COVID-19 cases surge in Calabarzon workplaces

by Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star), 14 Aug 2020

CALABARZON, Philippines — The transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 in workplaces has been blamed for the increase in cases in Calabarzon.

“Workplaces have been identified as the biggest avenue for COVID infection here,” Paula Paz Sydiongco, Department of Health (DOH)-Calabarzon assistant regional director, said during the National Task Force on COVID-19 code team visit in Cavite yesterday.

Sydiongco lamented that appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the virus in workplaces are not being implemented.

“COVID infections have been traced in various establishments. The common sources are transport arrangements, dorms and dining areas,” she said.

Sydiongco said the DOH regional office is conducting workplace assessment, case investigation, testing and contact tracing.

Under the new guidelines agreed upon by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, wearing of face shields aside from face masks will be mandatory in workplaces starting tomorrow.

Common smoking areas and dine-in services in office canteens as well as the provision of shuttle services to employees, who must wear masks during the ride, are in the additional guidelines for offices issued by the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Labor and Employment.

As of Tuesday, Calabarzon recorded 10,245 cases, 6,475 of them active. At least 4,422 have recovered while 348 died.

Laguna posted the highest number of cases with 2,705; Cavite, 1,391, and Rizal, 1,194.

Sydiongco said hospital bed utilization rate in the region is in the “warning zone” as some hospitals recorded almost 70 percent bed occupancy in intensive care units.