Philippine General Hospital (From PGH Facebook page)

[UPDATED] MANILA -- None of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) employees who were persons under investigation (PUIs) have been found positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a hospital official reported.

"Kami po’y masaya at ‘di kami masyado nagkakaroon ng persons under investigation [PUIs] sa mga empleyado. Ang huling naming bilang ay 'di lalapit sa (We're happy that we didn't have much PUIs among our employees. Our last count is not close to) 100 out of the 4,500 employees," PGH Director Gerardo Legaspi said at a press briefing on Monday held at the Department of Health main office.

Of the total number of PGH employees, 2,500 are doctors, he added.

Legaspi said the PUIs were separated and placed under quarantine immediately.

"Maaga naming isinatupad 'yung personnel reduction scheme na one-third lang po ng kawani ng PGH ang nagre-report ngayon sa (We have conducted the personnel reduction scheme early wherein only one-third of the PGH employees report to the) hospital," he said,

Earlier, Legaspi accepted the request of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to make PGH one of the Covid-19 referral centers in the National Capital Region.

"Once a referral system is in place, the coordinated transfer of patients can only be done after official acceptance by the receiving hospital. Admission to the referral center will initially be limited to mild PUIs who are at risk for deterioration -- above 60 years of age with co-morbidities -- and moderate to critical PUIs," he said.

The mild PUIs will be triaged to their local health units and a quarantine plan will be strictly implemented after Covid-19 testing has been made available. (PNA)

(Note: This story was based on a virtual press briefing held at the Department of Health on Monday, March 23, 2020. The article and the title have been updated to include that only the PUIs were found negative of Covid-19.)