Hospitals are at full capacity and are no longer taking in COVID patients St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) in Quezon City and Taguig, the Makati Medical Center, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Manila and the Metro Antipolo Hospital and Medical Center in Antipolo have reached the limit of their COVID-19 bed capacity. As of yesterday, the six hospitals announced that they can no longer accept patients with COVID-19.
“We advise the public to consider other hospitals for COVID-19 probable patients needing immediate medical attention,” Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital posted on its Facebook account. “We discourage COVID-19 patients waiting for admission in the hospital premises to avoid further exposure and contamination.”
The NKTI also said in their Facebook announcement that there has been a significant increase in the number of infection rates among healthcare workers, particularly with its front-line personnel. “Consequently, we humbly request the public and other healthcare facilities to refer their critically ill, probable, or suspected COVID-19 patients to other healthcare facilities for immediate care and management,” NKTI said.
Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega announced yesterday that the critical care capacity of hospitals is approaching the “danger zone” at 70 percent. As COVID-19 cases rise, more and more isolation and intensive care units (ICUs), as well as mechanical ventilators are being occupied and used.
“Actually, the critical bed capacity especially for the ICUs, according to our data, nasa danger zone. It’s about mga 70 percent,” said Vega in a press briefing.
SLMC is appealing to the public to strictly follow health protocols and preventive measures against COVID-19. “We appeal to the public to avoid complacency and strictly adhere to health protocols and preventive measures against COVID-19,” the hospital posted on Facebook.
As of writing, the Philippines has a total of 57,006 COVID-19 cases with 1,599 deaths and 20,371 recoveries. There are currently 35,036 active cases.
Header photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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