Amidst the spike of COVID-19 cases in the country, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary and Treatment Czar Leopoldo Vega said that the government is now taking steps in increasing isolation facilities in the country.
In the Laging Handa briefing, USec. Vega disclosed that the utilization of COVID-19 beds and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in some hospitals are now at a moderate level. But additional isolation facilities are needed to accommodate the rising number of mild and asymptomatic individuals, which according to the DOH’s tally, accounts to 97 percent of new cases.
“Kasi sila ‘yung first line of defense, kasi ‘pag nasa hospital, magco-concentrate na ‘yung mga institutions sa mga moderate and severe [patients] (They are the first line of defense so that hospitals, these institutions can concentrate on the moderate and severe [patients],” Vega emphasized.
Talks underway
USec. Vega also shared that coordination is ongoing with concerned agencies and local government units to address this concern.
“Nakikipag-ugnayan po kami sa Oplan Kalinga at LGUs (local government units) na talagang uunahin natin ‘yung isolation at TTMFs (Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities) lalo na sa mild and asymptomatic [patients] dahil mataas po ‘yung percentage nila sa mga new cases. (We are coordinating with Oplan Kalinga and LGUs to prioritize isolation and TTMFs (Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities) especially for mild and asymptomatic [patients] since they make up the highest percentage of new cases),” he added.
Hiring of more health workers eyed
Given the recent spike of COVID19 cases, the DOH is also inclined to hire more healthcare workers. Under the Bayanihan 2, the DOH was able to hire 12 thousand health workers since September of last year. It is prepared to do the same given the recent surge of cases.
“Magdadagdag pa po kami lalo na sa surge at open po kami sa Department of Health na mag-augment through emergency hiring (We will add more people especially with this surge and we at the Department of Health are open to augment through emergency hiring),” he explained.
Meanwhile, USec. Vega reiterated that the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus Bubble will help in containing the virus.
“Alam natin na kumakalat na yung new variant dito sa Manila. Ayaw na nating mailabas pa sa ibang probinsya itong mga possible variant (We all know that the new variant is spreading here in Manila. We do not like to bring these possible variants to other provinces,” he concluded.– Kenneth Paciente.
