Objectives: This study aimed to determine the mental health of Filipino healthcare workers (HCWs) in terms of their feelings and ability to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors that motivated them to continue their work. Methods and Results: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive survey, single-center study, conducted in Perpetual Succour Hospital, Cebu City, Philippines, within 3 months from the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 215 respondents, almost 50% thought of quitting their job due to fear of getting infected with COVID-19 and transmitting the disease to their families. Ninety-four percent (94%) of HCWs were nervous and scared and 85% were experiencing physical fatigue and emotional exhaustion. Despite all these, 97% of HCWs felt that their service during the pandemic was part of their professional obligation and ethical duty. HCWs coped with the present pandemic by strictly following safety protocols and the assurance of the safety of their families helped reduce their stress. Family support is their most important source of motivation. Conclusion Filipino HCWs experience physical and emotional stress during the COVID-19 pandemic but were motivated to work because of their professional obligation with an assurance of safety and support from their family.
Mental Health ; Adaptation, Psychological ; Health Personnel ; COVID-19

Introduction: Convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) is a type of experimental passive immunotherapy with a sizable background in viral outbreaks. Although there has been documented favorable outcomes in using CPT in the treatment of viral illnesses, its use in COVID-19 is still experimental. Objectives: To determine if adding convalescent plasma to standard of care is associated with better clinical outcomes than giving standard of care alone to severe and critical COVID-19 patients admitted in a tertiary hospital in Cebu City. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Cebu between March to September 2020. The data of a total of 22 COVID-19 patients who received convalescent plasma therapy plus standard treatment regimen based on the institution's interim guideline were identified by chart review. The demographic information, laboratory results, management and outcome data from this group were collated, matched with and compared to 43 critically ill COVID-19 patients who received COVID-19 standard treatment regimen only. Results: Both the CPT and non-CPT groups are comparable in terms of the socio-clinical variables, inflammatory marker levels, laboratory test results and therapeutic interventions. However, there is no relationship between the level of inflammatory markers and the illness day to which CPT was given. Additionally, the outcomes also differ significantly in terms of duration of admission, severity of illness, critical care support and mortalities. The control group has shorter hospital admissions, more patients with critical illness and more mortalities. The intervention arm, however, has more recoveries but longer duration of critical care. Conclusion Convalescent Plasma Therapy added to standard treatment is not associated with improved clinical outcomes among Filipino patients with severe or life-threatening COVID-19 infection admitted in a tertiary hospital in Cebu City.
COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies