The Philippine General Hospital has begun requiring all medical personnel and visitors to wear masks while at the hospital, its spokesperson said Wednesday.

 "All of those entering the vicinity of the PGH are mandated to wear masks, surgical masks in particular," said PGH spokesperson Dr. Jonas del Rosario in a television interview.

Del Rosario said the move was due to the reported increase in Covid-19 cases that has affected hospital workers.

"There are healthcare workers in the hospital that have tested positive for Covid. That is why we decided to be strict about masking at PGH, primarily to protect our patients," he said.

 So far, there are eight Covid patients at the hospital — two adults and six children.

 According to Del Rosario, of the six children, three have severe Covid and pneumonia, while two have mild Covid, and one has moderate Covid.

 "They were more of incidental cases. They had existing illnesses, but they developed fever and later found that they had Covid," he said.

 The Department of Health on Tuesday recorded a total of 1,821 new Covid-19 cases.

 Based on the department's latest case bulletin, daily average cases numbered 260, which is 36 percent higher than the cases reported last week.

 The department also reported 13 new severe and critical cases, as well as 13 deaths over the past week.

 "Of the 13 deaths, three occurred this month and 10 last month," it said.

 With the new cases, 1,863 out of 11,111 non-intensive care unit beds were now occupied, while 176 out of 1,298 ICU beds were occupied.