Amid the continuing increase in COVID-19 cases, the Department of Health (DOH) is preparing for a possible “worst-case scenario,” where the number of hospital beds allocated for COVID-19 cases will be increased.
This is after the OCTA Research Group, a group of professors who study COVID-19 data in the country, shared that hospitals in Metro Manila could be filled during Holy Week or the first week of April if it continues. The current reproduction rate of the disease is 1.9.
According to Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, the projection of OCTA is possible and if it happens, the bed allocation of hospitals for COVID-19 cases will have to be increased.
It also means that hospitals will not accept non-COVID-19 patients temporarily.
“Baka ito ‘yong worst-case scenario kung dadating. Kaya ito ‘yong pinaghahandaan namin,” said Vega.
According to the DOH, the use of intensive care unit beds is high in hospitals, especially in Quezon City, Manila, Makati, and Taguig.
“Ang COVID bed isolation at saka COVID ward sa mga hospital, both public at saka ‘yong private, mataas na ‘to. Umaabot na sila sa 57 percent, malapit na sa threshold ng moderate rate,” said Vega.
DOH prepares to increase bed allocation for COVID-19 cases
“Tumataas na ang paggamit ng intensive care unit. Ito’y nasa mga 73 percent-76 percent na ang average. Malapit na rin sa tinatawag naming high risk category,” he added.
According to a group of private hospitals, the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 is increasing in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Visayas.
Of those taken, 93 percent were mild cases, 3 percent were asymptomatic while others had severe or critical conditions.
“Sa ngayon po, medyo critical na nga po ang situation. Pero habang kaya po ng mga private hospitals ay nag-a-admit pa rin kami ng mga pasyente,” said Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines President Dr. Jose Rene de Grano.
The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) lamented the tiredness of nurses in the face of the continuous increase in COVID-19 cases.
“Sobrang hirap po ng sitwasyon natin ngayon kasi even our nurses are being infected by COVID-19,” said PNA President Melbert Reyes.
More than 5,000 nurses have been infected with the virus, according to data from the Filipino Nurses United (FNU).