The Department of Health (DOH) said on Saturday, that the number of Filipino workers that are infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has risen to 1,101 cases.

According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the total tally includes 434 doctors, 400 nurses, 55 nursing assistants, 32 medical technologists, and 21 radio technologists. 

However, Vergeire did not specify the remaining 159 accounted for but based on the DOH count earlier, this includes other workers of health facilities and barangay health workers. 

“Kami po ay taos-pusong nakikiramay sa mga pamilya at kaibigan na naulila ng health care workers na pumanaw dahil sa sakit na ito,” Vergeire said.

So far, 20 doctors and 6 nurses have succumbed to COVID-19.

The Philippines has tallied 7,294 coronavirus infections, of whom 494 died and 792 recovered, as of Saturday.

Earlier, the World Health Organization was alarmed on the number of Filipino health care workers getting sick of COVID-19.

“We are working very closely with the ministry of health to determine the reasons why the Philippines has a high percentage,” said Dr. Abdi Mahamud, COVID-19 incident manager for Western Pacific.

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