Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso disclosed that many of the COVID-19 patients are now going to public hospitals as COVID-19 wards of private hospitals have reached full capacity.
In their six district hospitals, 59 percent or 184 out of 310 allotted COVID-19 beds have already been occupied as of March 22, 2021.
“Ako po hindi na magpapangalan marami akong kilalang may mga pera, mayayaman nasa Sta. Ana Hospital, nasa public hospital natin. Ibig sabihin, kaya ko po iyon binabanggit bilang paalala na walang bisa ang pera ngayong mga panahon na ito (I will not name names but I know moneyed people, rich ones who are now confined at the Sta. Ana Hospital, our public hospital. The reason why I am bringing this up is to remind that money means nothing much in these times),” Mayor Domagoso shared in his daily city address.
“Kahit na wala kang pera o kahit na bilyon bilyon ang pera, mo iisa lang ang pupuntahan niyo, sa COVID ward (Whether you have no money or have billions, you have only one place to go, the COVID ward),” Domagoso further warned if the public will not properly comply with health protocols.
Although more COVID-19 bed capacity is being prepared, the Manila local chief reminded his constituents that hospitals cannot just be occupied with patients infected with the virus as patients with other medical conditions need to be accommodated as well.
Meanwhile, quarantine facilities in the City of Manila for asymptomatic COVID-19 cases are now at 86 percent occupancy, while occupancy for suspected cases awaiting the result of their test is at 158 percent.
Mayor Domagoso said they are coordinating with other hotels in the city to be converted as additional isolation facility.
“Most likely huwag naman sanang magamit. Mayroon pa tayong tres sientos (300) na naka-bangko on top of the [current] 570. Naka-bangko na po ‘yun at palalakihin pa po natin dahil pinakikiusapan natin ‘yung ibang mga hotel at motel owners (Most likely, we hope that we will not get to use it. We have 300 in the bank on top of the [current] 570. That’s all in the bank and we are letting it grow since we are talking to hotel and motel owners),” he revealed.
Yesterday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported another record-high of 8,019 new COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. As of 12NN of March 22, the City of Manila has 2,933 active COVID-19 cases and 30, 756 recorded recoveries. -Patrick de Jesus
