BALANGA CITY — The Municipal Health Office of Mariveles, Bataan on Thursday night reported that five patients positive with mild to moderate Covid–19 were transferred from the New Clark City quarantine facilityin Tarlac to the former Mariveles Mental Hospital.
A lady employee from the administration department of the municipal hall said MHO chief Dr. Gerald Sebastian confirmed the confinement of the five patients at the Mariveles Mental Wellness General Hospital.
She begged off not to be identified because “we are getting too much bashing” from social media. “Dahil ang mental hospital ay isang general hospital, pinili ito ng Department of Health na paglagakan ng Covid- 19 patients once ang ibang ospital ay puno na,” she said.
Barangay chairman Francisco Delos Reyes, Jr. of Poblacion, Mariveles said he ordered lockdown of the village effective 12:01 a.m. Friday upon learning of the presence of the patients from Mayor Jocelyn Castaneda and Sebastian.
MMWGH is located at Monroe Street of the village.
The village head said the transfer of patients affected with Covid–19 was confirmed by Mariveles officialsafter talking with the chief of hospital
Delos Reyes said they became suspicious when two ambulances from other provinces arrived Thursday afternoon in the area accompanied by health workers in personal protective equipment. He said that upon inquiry, they were informed that the patients were persons under investigation.
“Nagulat kami ngayong gabi na ang nasa loob ng naturang ospital ay mga Covid-19 patients pala,” he said.
He admitted that the hospital was under the DOH and not under the LGU or the barangay: “Ngunit, mas maganda sana na bilang barangay at pamahalaang bayan ng Mariveles na nakakasakop sa mental hospital, sana ay nasabihan kaming dalawa ahead of time.”
He said that although he was confident that the patients are properly isolated, he decided to have Monroe Street closed.
“Walang dadaan o lalabas. Hindi kami magpapalabas ng kahit sino galing sa mental. Nakikiusap din kami sa mga nurses at doktor ng ospital na i–quarantine ang kanilang mga staff,” he said.
He begged for cooperation and understanding from those affected.
The village head has ordered the disinfection of the area and said other preventive measures will be instituted.
Delos Reyes said that they were later informed Friday by hospital officials that they have nothing to worry for the patients with mild to moderate Covid – 19 were in strict isolation and pose no danger to the community.
