The Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas said Monday that the situation in the region, specifically in Cebu City, is different from that of the National Capital Region despite a high number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
DOH -7 spokesperson Dr. Mary Jean Loreche said medical workers in the region don't need a time out.
"The thing that differs us from NCR is this, we have tapped component societies," Loreche said.
She also said incentives given by the city to health workers have also been boosting their morale.
"When they get sick or admitted, their expenses are augmented also," said Loreche.
About 400 health care workers in the whole region have contracted COVID-19 but most have already recovered. A majority of them are working in Cebu City.
New molecular laboratories and testing centers have also helped in reducing the burden of medical workers.
In Cebu, aside from the Subnational Laboratory at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and the DOH - 7 Lab, four private hospitals as well as the laboratory set-up by the Philippine Red Cross have acquired accreditation.
Free swab tests are also done in the Bayanihan Center, the VSMCC drive-thru, and the clustered clinics of Cebu City.
The recovery rate of Cebu city has now reached 57 percent, according to Mayor Edgardo Labella.
"This is a challenge to remain in GCQ still so please stay at home," he said.
DOH, Central Visayas, Cebu, Cebu City, Cebu City COVID-19, Cebu City coronavirus, GCQ, general community quarantine