Hospitals in Cebu City are now in critical condition due to the spike of COVID-19 cases in the province, which prompted individuals who need medical response to wait outside the hospitals.
The DOH-7 said on Sunday (August 1) that intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency rooms are currently overwhelmed in Cebu, and oxygen tanks are being brought to emergency vehicles and cars of patients that are being brought to the hospital.
Cebu City COVID-19 Vaccination Head and City Councilor Dave Tumulak said patients are denied medical assistance from other smaller hospitals due to the lack of hospital beds.
“Masakit tingnan ang sitwasyon sa pagamutan. Kaming nakakita, kawawa talaga ang mga nasa loob lang ng sasakyan. Ang ilan ay nasa labas ng ospital,” Tumulak told PTV.
The local government sought help from the national government to aid the residents’ medical needs.
“Itong gamot na lagi nilang hinahanap ngayon ay itong Remdesivir at oxygen dahil ito ang anti-viral drug na mahirap hanapin dito sa lungsod ng Cebu. Kaya, nanawagan tayo kung sino ang makapagbibigay ng gamot na Remdesivir para nang sa gayon ay marami ang gagaling mula sa COVID-19,” Tumulak said.
The local health department also appealed to medical practitioners to render service to the hospitals in need of their expertise.
“We appeal to our nurses, especially those who recently passed the board examination. Please respond. We need you. This is the call of time. We need you,” DOH-7 Director Jaime Bernadas said.
As of August 1, there are 2,942 active COVID-19 cases in Cebu City, with 26,289 recoveries and 933 fatalities. – Report from John Aroa / CF – rir
Watch the report here: