TARLAC CITY (PIA) -- The provincial government clarified the COVID-19 situation at Tarlac Provincial Hospital (TPH). 
 
Following the viral post circulating on social media showing the state of patients, Governor Susan Yap made a statement explaining its context.
 
She said the photos taken in the lobby area and make-shift tents in the parking lot serves as the triage area of the hospital.
 
"Although that is true, that is not our COVID-19 area but our triage area contrary to the viral post implying those are all COVID patients," the official explained.
 
Before getting admitted, a negative RT-PCR result is required to protect both patients and medical frontliners in the facility.
 
"For that day, we had a surge because it is not only COVID season but for the past months dengue is on the rise due to the rains," she said.
 
Yap stressed that there is a separate entrance for COVID-related patients.  TPH has 450-bed capacity allotting 225 beds for COVID-19 severe and critical cases.
 
She assured that the provincial government is giving its all to provide services for every Tarlaqueño.
 
"We have been working hard to meet the demands of the pandemic through our vaccine rollouts, financial aid, our Department of Health-accredited testing lab, assistance for locally stranded individuals hoping to return home, Bakuna Sa Barangay Para Sa Senior Citizens, among others," Yap said. (CLJD/GLSB-PIA 3)