TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - The Cagayan Valley Medical Center is now preparing for the reopening of its Outpatient Department (OPD) after its operation was temporarily stopped and replaced by Telemedicine or online consultation.

The temporary closure of the OPD was implemented after the hospital recorded a surge of COVID-19 patients where the hospital exceeded its bed capacity and even resorted to putting up tents outside the wards if only to accommodate patients.

But with the significant decrease of cases from more than 360 to 60 as of yesterday, the hospital’s OPD is now getting ready for its normal operation after 60 of its medical frontliners received their booster shot on Tuesday while the rest comprising the more than 2,400 medical staff will follow.

Dr. Cherry Lou Molina, chief Medical Professional Staff said all these are preparations for their reopening.

While Telemedicine was in effect during the surge of COVID-19 cases in lieu of the face-to-face consultation at the OPD, there are cases where the doctor needs to see the patient personally. (MDCT/GVB/PIA Cagayan)