Pasay hospital confirms patient died of ‘meningo’

The Pasay City General Hospital (PCGH) has confirmed that meningococcemia was the cause of death of a female patient who was admitted to the hospital last week.

The announcement was made even though results of the third and final set of tests conducted on the blood sample taken from the patient was negative for the disease.

Dr. Leto Mangonon, director of the PCGH, explained that antibiotics immediately given to 35-year-old Marjorie Florano brought about the results.

"It was clinically confirmed that the patient was positive of the deadly blood infection disease since her condition showed its signs and symptoms like recurring fever, dropping blood pressure and vomiting. However, laboratory tests showed otherwise because the hospital staff were quick to give her medication," Mangonon said.

He advised the Department of Health (DOH) and the Pasay City government of the latest developments regarding the case of Florano.

"It is good that even if the patient was afflicted with meningococcemia, we were able to contain the disease and the public. therefore there is no need to worry," Mangonon added.

Operations at the PCGH have returned to normal and its emergency room has been admitting patients since the patient died last Wednesday night.

The patient had suffered from fever to five days before she was brought to the emergency room.

Earlier, tests conducted by doctors of the San Juan de Dios Medical Center on the blood and skin samples of the patient turned out negative for meningococcemia.

The incident caused a scare among hospital staff, patients and residents. Nearby schools decided to send their students home, but officials said there was no reason for alarm.

The patient was a native of Bicol and was reportedly staying in Parañaque City before she was brought and confined to the PCGH on Nov. 22.