POC workers face discrimination, seek mass testing

Philippine Orthopedic Center (POC) workers are facing discrimination and lack of adequate quarantine facilities after 146 staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

As of April 4, POC recorded 39 doctors, 36 nurses, and 71 other personnel infected with the virus.

The DOH is providing hotel accommodations to some healthcare workers but only about 36 individuals have been transferred so far.

POC seeks mass testing for both its staff and patients due to concerns over patient safety and the inability of many patients to afford RT-PCR tests.

Outpatient care at POC was temporarily closed, serving around 350 to 450 patients daily.