Health workers at the Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital (SDNPH) received vaccines for their protection as they continue to serve as front-liners in containing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the province.

Boxes of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines were handed over to SDNPH chief Dr. Chloe Digal-Corpin on Wednesday by Assistant Provincial Administrator Sim Castrence, said Roberto Parada of the provincial information office.

“As we continue to fight the spread of Covid-19, Gov. Francisco Matugas wants to ensure the safety and protection of our health workers and our front-liners,” Parada told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday.

He added that the vaccines will benefit 38 health workers and front-liners at the SDNPH.

Corpin expressed gratitude to the provincial government for the vaccines, saying SDNPH health workers are committed to helping contain the spread of the Covid-19 in the province.

“We are thankful for the support of the provincial government. This is a boost to the protection of our health workers as they face the daily challenges in the fight against Covid-19),” Corpin said.

“SDNPH is now recognized by the DOH as an isolation facility in Surigao del Norte,” she added. “We are taking care of patients for isolation and quarantine, especially those who are positive in RAT Test, those with positive results in swab test but are considered asymptomatic, and those with mild symptoms.”

She said SDNPH has air-conditioned facilities, enough water supply, and food for the admitted patients for isolation and quarantine.

SDNPH is implementing the “no contact policy” with the admitted patients, she added.

“The policy aims to protect our health workers. They attend to admitted patients through virtual monitoring as we installed CCTVs and necessary communication equipment that can be utilized by the isolated and quarantined patients,” Corpin said.

Corpin said SNDPH has temporarily ceased to admit non-Covid-19 related patients and consultations while the hospital serves as isolation and quarantine facility.

“We refer consultations to our Tawag Konsulta program with the assistance of our hospital nurses and doctors and the support of medical specialists in the province,” Corpin said.

As of Thursday, Surigao del Norte has a total of 98 Covid-19 positive cases, 94 recoveries, and four remaining active cases.

“The four remaining active cases are all considered asymptomatic. Surigao del Norte has a total recovery rate of 96 percent,” Parada said. (PNA)