The occupancy rate of Pasay City General Hospital (PCGH), which reached 100% in late March amid the surge of COVID-19 cases, has now improved to 59%.
According to the hospital, its situation in terms of capacity has returned to normal, or under safe risk classification.
“Slowly, it started siguro mga second week, third week ng April. Slowly, it went down,” PCGH officer-in-charge Dr. John de Gracia reported.
“Until now we’re still under MECQ [modified enhanced community quarantine]… Malaking tulong ‘yon because it slowed down the transmission rate,” he added.
The hospital currently has two vacant intensive care unit (ICU) beds for COVID-19 patients with severe to critical symptoms, and 11 regular beds for patients exhibiting mild to moderate symptoms.
Patients residing outside Pasay without emergency medical concerns can also be accommodated.
“Sa akin, this one, itong MECQ…with regard to healthcare, I think this is okay kasi nakikita naman natin talaga ‘yung magandang effect niya,” the doctor said.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported that the utilization rate of hospitals has improved from the situation prior to the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in March.
The nationwide utilization rate of ICU beds is at 64% as of May 6, lower than the 68% record in mid-April. As for isolation beds, the numbers went down from 50% to 44%.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III previously said it is too early to ease quarantine restrictions in the Greater Manila Area, adding that new cases should first continue to drop. – Report from Louisa Erispe/AG-jlo
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