By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Philippines health officials reported Monday that 3,314 new COVID-19 cases were recorded, bringing the total in the country to 164,474.

Image/CDC

The bulk of the new cases were reported from the Metro Manila area (1,918), followed by Laguna with 274 cases, Cavite with 219 cases, Rizal with 118 cases and Bulacan with 105 cases.

18 additional deaths were recorded, bringing the total to 2,681.

In addition, the Department of Health (DOH) and the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) today unveiled the six-story Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Disease (CERID) to address the need to manage severe and critical cases of COVID-19 in Metro Manila.

According to EAMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Alfonso Nuñez, the CERID will have its own independent Emergency Room that can accommodate up to 40 patients. It will also have its own Operating Room plus Labor and Delivery Room to cater to COVID19 patients that need to be treated for other medical conditions.

Moreover, it will also have two Intensive Care Units (ICU) that can accommodate up to 30 critical patients, equipped with 8 – 10 Hemodialysis units. Ward type rooms and isolation rooms are available to ensure that these patients meet the minimum health standards to prevent further spread of the infection. The new building will also have an infirmary to cater to the needs of the Health Care Workers who may inadvertently contract the disease.

CERID was constructed with the help and support of the Inter-Agency Task Force, headed by Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, the National Implementation Task Force, headed by Secretary Carlito Galvez, and COVID-19 treatment czar Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega.

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