Designated isolation units with 20 beds established at SPMC for mpox patient accommodation
Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Prepares Isolation Facility for Rising Monkeypox Cases
Amid the surge of Monkeypox (mpox) cases in the region, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) has prepared approximately 20 beds in their isolation facility, according to its chief, Dr. Ricardo Audan. Should the number of beds prove insufficient, additional beds are available for use.
Dr. Audan mentioned in a recent radio interview on GMA Super Radio Davao that the hospital has remained ready for virus outbreaks similar to COVID-19 since the initial outbreak. He also expressed surprise over the decision of neighboring provinces, cities, and municipalities to mandate face masks, stating that mpox is not airborne like COVID-19 and can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and droplets.
Audan emphasized the importance of practicing proper handwashing, maintaining social distancing, and wearing masks when avoiding crowds is not possible to prevent the infection. However, he encouraged the public not to panic, as mpox is generally less severe than COVID-19.
Seven suspected mpox patients have been identified at the hospital. Testing conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) confirmed three of these cases. The hospital is awaiting one repeat sample collection and has three more patients scheduled for sample collection for confirmation at RITM.
According to Audan, the seven patients consist of four from Davao City, two from Davao del Sur, and one patient's location is undisclosed. The City Health Office (CHO) confirmed a total of six cases of mpox within Davao City, of which four are currently active, one has recovered, and one resulted in a fatality unrelated to mpox.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Monkeypox as an infectious disease caused by the mpox virus, characterized by symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a spreading rash. There are two clades of the virus: Clade I and Clade II.
The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao, Philippines, has prepared an isolation facility with around 20 beds for potential Monkeypox (mpox) cases, as the number of cases in the region rises. Dr. Ricardo Audan, the hospital's chief, has emphasized the importance of preventative measures like handwashing, social distancing, and mask-wearing to help combat mpox, as it is less severe than COVID-19 but can still be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and droplets. Currently, seven suspected mpox patients have been identified at SPMC, with three cases confirmed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
