Doctor dies after inhaling disinfectant spray at quarantine facility

Police Captain Casey Gutierrez, a doctor at a COVID-19 quarantine facility, died at 31 after accidentally inhaling a concentrated disinfectant spray.

He worked at the Philippine Sports Arena quarantine facility, having left a private hospital to join the Philippine National Police (PNP) as a doctor.

The PNP confirmed the incident, with initial reports from the PNP General Hospital indicating accidental inhalation of a toxic disinfectant as the cause of death.

Gutierrez was reportedly sprayed with disinfectant after attending to a patient, and the concentration was deemed too high for direct application on a person.

Following the incident, the Department of Health (DOH) reiterated its advice against spraying and misting disinfectant as a way of killing the coronavirus, citing insufficient evidence of its effectiveness and potential risks.

The DILG has also warned of the ill effects of misting and spraying disinfectants on people, with Secretary Eduardo Año reminding LGUs and attached agencies of the dangers.

Año cited a DOH memorandum stating there is no evidence that large-scale misting or spraying indoors or outdoors kills the virus, and that it can cause health concerns and environmental pollution.

The DILG Chief ordered the PNP to fully investigate the incident and ensure it does not happen again.