By Mark Fetalco
The Philippines on Thursday has set another all-time high record in the number of new COVID-19 cases in a day after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 8,773 more individuals who tested positive for the Coronavirus Disease.
Moreover, the country’s death toll has surpassed the 13,000-mark after 56 more people succumbed to the disease, bringing the total number of fatalities to 13,095. On the other hand, 574 more patients have survived the illness, bringing the total recoveries to 580,062.
According to the DOH case bulletin, as of March 25, the total number of COVID-19 infections in the country has reached 693,048 with 99,891 active cases, the highest since the pandemic started.
Of the active cases, 95% have mild symptoms, 3% are asymptomatic, 0.8% are in critical condition, 0.8% are severe and 0.44% are moderate cases.
While 54% of the nationwide ICU beds has been utilized, the health department noted an increase in the utilization of ICU beds in the National Capital Region (NCR) from 71% yesterday to 74% as of today, which is now considered high risk.
“While most of the DOH hospitals have reached the 50% mark for the prescribed bed allocation, as of March 21, NCR Public Hospitals are at only 33% of ABC for COVID dedicated beds and private hospitals are only at 21%,” the DOH cited in a statement.
The One Hospital Command Center headed by Treatment Czar Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega has been directed to help hospitals expand their bed capacities to 30% for private and 50% for public hospitals.
The health department is also preparing to facilitate the transfer of mild and asymptomatic patients admitted in hospitals to quarantine and isolation facilities.
“As of March 24, 2021 it was noted that there are 131 asymptomatic and 127 mild COVID-19 cases admitted in government hospitals in NCR,” the DOH detailed.
The establishment of modular hospitals is now being hastened including 2 additional facilities at the Quezon Institute with 88 more beds; one at the Dr. Jose Rodriguez Hospital allotting 22 beds for COVID-19; 2 modular hospitals with 88 beds for the Lung Center of the Philippines; and one ongoing construction at the East Avenue Medical Center with 16 ICU beds.
