MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) has reduced its manpower and implemented cost-efficiency measures following “significant losses” inflicted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the university’s official publication reported Sunday. “Since the start of the pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and lockdown that followed, the overall hospital census went significantly down,” Ramirez said. Ordinary and elective patients stayed away from most hospitals even up to now due to fear of possible (COVID-19) infection,” he added. “Many of the employees also could not come to the hospital because of limited transportation while others filed for unused leaves. There were even some who were not allowed by their parents and family members to report for work,” he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 03, 2020 10:18 UTC