Health workers group decries shortened isolation, quarantine period
By Rochel M. Floron IV
Healthcare workers (HCWs) decried the approved measure from the Department of Health (DOH) shortening the isolation and quarantine period of HCWs in case of extreme circumstances of manpower shortage amidst the current spike of the COVID-19 virus brought by the Omicron variant.
The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) has called the measure illogical, unscientific, and dangerous not only for HCWs but also for the patients and the possibility of it exacerbating the current transmission of the virus.
“[The] DOH cannot simply assume that symptoms will appear immediately. Health workers with high exposure to COVID-19 with or without symptoms should be quarantined and undergo an RT-PCR test,” AHW said.
This measure is in line with the issuance of the DOH Circular 2022–002 Section E or the Amended Quarantine Isolation Period for Healthcare Workers as Contingency Measure for Sustaining Health Capacity released last January 6.
According to the circular, the isolation and quarantine period for healthcare workers will only be for five days from the usual 14–21 days quarantine period, subject to an extension depending on the result of another COVID-19 test.
The health group urged the government to give them instead a free, regular, and mandatory RT-PCR test and wage increase. They added, to resolve the current shortage of HCWs, that the government should mass hire regular healthcare workers who for the longest time are burned out, had meager wages, and felt betrayed by the unjust treatment of this government.
