By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY - Eight health workers and an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and have been discharged from the Baguio General Hospital & Medical Center (BGHMC). “Binabati natin ang ating mga magigiting na graduates. We congratulate you for having persevered despite the facts and difficulties that you’ve faced,” said BGHMC Chief Dr. Ricardo Runez Jr. who also noted a tradition among hospital personnel to hold send-off rites to patients who were under their care and have recovered from the deadly disease. The recovered patients were Dr. Elizabeth Macli-ing Solang, encoder Ana Paola Ortiz, nurse Merril Cadag, nursing attendant Marissa Mendoza, and nurse Herwin Siong. The other patient who recovered, but opted not to be identified, were PH7208, PH7437, PH7458, and PH7907. They were also discharged late in the afternoon after their swab test was confirmed negative. Solang expressed her gratitude to the entire Department of Health (DOH)– BGHMC family for taking good care of them during their confinement. “The holistic approach in the care of COVID-19 patients was the biggest factor that helped us recover from the virus.” she added. Patients also thanked the local government of Baguio City under the leadership of Mayor Benjie Magalong for helping in the contact tracing. Runez sent a message to the recovered healthcare workers, saying “we tell you that this is nothing to be ashamed off. “We continue to accept you as one of us, one of ours, and hopefully after your days of quarantine, you may comeback fresh to work with us here at BGHMC,” he said. “Hindi pa tapos ang laban. We have to encourage every employee in our hospital to be more vigilant, be more aware of how we carry our self most especially in our work place. Alagaan po natin ang ating mga sarili” reminded Runez.