The Department of Health (DOH) is reminding the public again to refrain from using fireworks in welcoming 2021 and to continue practicing minimum health standards.
There will be a problem if the COVID-19 cases will continue to rise on the first week of January since there are only few spaces allocated for COVID patients in hospitals, according to the health department.
“Theoretically, kung aabot ng mga more than 50 percent ang COVID allocation for the hospital, ito iyong talagang mahihirapan, ma-o-overwhelm talaga ang hospitals (Theoretically, if we reach more than 50 percent of the COVID allocation for the hospital, it will be hard as hospitals will be overwhelmed),” DOH USec. Leopoldo Vega explained.
COVID-19 referral hospitals in the country have already added 50 to 100 beds for patients to ensure services to those in need of medical care.
The DOH is also reminding the public on the possibility of overcrowding in hospitals if there will be surge of firecracker-related injuries. Trauma centers all over the Philippines have received only a few reports of the said injuries. However, it is expected to suddenly increase in the coming days. – Report from Louisa Erispe
