Noted cardiologist Dr. Raul Jara dies of COVID-19

Dr. Raul Jara, a noted cardiologist and former president of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), died from COVID-19 at the age of 71.

The PHA described him as a "great pillar of cardiology" in the Philippines and a "great father, teacher, mentor, poet, author, singer, colleague, friend."

He is the second doctor from the Philippine Heart Center to die from the virus, and several other frontliners have also succumbed to COVID-19.

It is suspected that Dr. Jara contracted the virus from a patient who denied any travel history, highlighting the risks faced by healthcare workers.

Dr. Jara voluntarily admitted himself to the hospital upon feeling symptoms to avoid infecting his household members.

His son, Paolo, is appealing for donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical workers and advocating for a dedicated COVID-19 site with organized mass testing.

The PHA highlighted the severe lack of appropriate PPE, testing facilities, contact tracing, isolation measures, and massive treatment in the Philippines.

At least six doctors at the Philippine Heart Center have tested positive for COVID-19.

St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City have stated they can no longer accept more COVID-19 patients due to exceeding maximum capacity.