By Arabella Asis
The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi) assured the public that the hospital utilization is still manageable despite the increasing number of COVID-19 and dengue cases in the country.
In a Laging Handa public briefing on Thursday, April 20, PHAPi President Dr. Jose de Grano said only the elderly and with comorbidities who tested positive for COVID-19 were being advised to be admitted to the hospitals for monitoring purposes.
“Iyong hospital utilization, hindi naman [gaanong] tumataas, especially sa private hospitals, very manageable pa,” de Grano said.
“Usually, ang nagpapa-admit ay ‘yung mga may comorbid condition at mga elderly (A1 population). Kung nagpo-positive sila ay inaadvise sila ng admission for monitoring purposes,” he explained.
“Pero kung mga nagpopositive sila at hindi naman sila member ng mga with comorbid condition, pinapauwi na lang,” de Grano added.
The health official reminded the public to observe minimum health protocols such as wearing face masks in crowded places.
Meanwhile, de Grano said dengue cases spiked up to more than 200% this year compared to 2022.
De Grano attributed the cases to the monsoon rain which created mosquito habitats among various places.
“Kita naman natin for the past year, bago dumating ang dry season o pag-init ng ating klima ay medyo tumagal din… lumagpas tayo ng February to March na medyo mandalas ang monsoon rains. Katulad ng dengue na ang pinagmumulan ay doon sa mga pinamumugaran ng mga lamok, iyon ang palagay ko na naging cause kaya tumaas ang dami ng ating dengue cases,” he stressed.
In 2022, the Philippines reported over 220,000 dengue cases. – cf
