The Private Hospital Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHAPi) reported that the number of admitted patients with moderate to critical COVID-19 symptoms in private hospitals have increased despite the decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.
In the Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday (Oct. 19), PHAPi President Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said the percentage of admitted moderate to critical COVID-19 patients increased from 5% to almost 15%.
“Pagbaba ng total active cases naman, ‘yung porsyento ng moderate, severe and critical [ay] tumaas. Dati po 5% ‘yan, ngayon almost 15%. Ibig sabihin, hindi nagbabago yung mga naho-hospitalize sa ating private facilities.”
De Grano explained that COVID-19 cases, unlike the flu, last for a minimum of two weeks for the patient’s stay at the hospital.
“Ang atin pong COVID cases lalo po kung moderate, tumatagal po iyan ng minimum na two weeks, kahit three or one month. Kaya iyon pong pag-stay nila sa ospital, matagalan po iyan; hindi po agad sila nakakauwi. So kung hindi po sila makauwi, kapag madagdagan pa, ayun, hindi po bumababa ang ating census sa mga ospital.”
In relation to this, he urged the public to comply with the minimum public health standards amid the easing of restrictions to prevent another surge of COVID-19 cases.
“Pero ang mga atin pong mga healthcare professionals, medyo nagbabala po na baka mamaya ay sobra naman tayong maluwag at bigla na naman tayong magkaroon ng surge in the next coming weeks. Kaya kong maaari po ay sundin po natin ang ating minimum health protocols dahil medyo lumuwag po nang konti lang ang ating mga pribadong hospitals,” he said.
Report from Mark Fetalco, NG Seruela-rir
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