The Department of Health (DOH) reminded hospitals to accept mild and asymptomatic cases and to refer them to quarantine facilities.
The DOH also encouraged mild and asymptomatic cases to go to the said facilities amid the congestion in COVID-19 ICU beds of some hospitals. As of July 6, there are 15,303 patients in temporary treatment and monitoring facilities, or a 23 percent occupancy rate.
As of July 3, NCR hospitals with full COVID-dedicated ICU beds capacity include VMMC, UST Hospital, University of Perpetual Help, Tondo Medical Center, Seamen’s Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Metro North Medical Center and Hospital, Las Piῆas Doctors Hospital, Delos Santos Medical Center, Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, and Capitol Medical Center.
The DOH assured there is still enough capacity among hospitals in Metro Manila for COVID-19. “Dito, mayroon pa rin tayong ICU beds na 43% ang utilization, ward beds na 48% and isolation beds na 41% (In NCR there are still ICU beds with 43% utilization, ward beds at 48%, and isolation beds at 41%).”
Meanwhile, experts claimed there are indications of faster transmission rate of COVID-19, and cases might reach 100,000 by the end of August.
UP OCTA Research Team said the reproductive number has now become 1.6 from the previous 1.
“Kung bumaba pa siya ng konti ‘yung R-Naught, we will still hit 100,000. Pero kung tumaas pa siya, if we hit an R-Naught as something like 2 kunwari, then posibleng mag-double pa ‘yung projections before the end of August (If the R naught lowers, we still hit 100,000. But if it increases, if we hit an R-Naught as something like 2, then the projections might double by the end of August),” Prof. Guido David explained.
The DOH reiterated its reminder for the public to follow minimum public health standards. The research teams said the government could also consider stricter health protocols in offices and mass transportation. – Report from Mark Fetalco
