Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday told hospitals to prepare for a surge in Covid-19 cases amid the Christmas season. | NIKKO BALBEDINA
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday told hospitals to prepare for a surge in Covid-19 cases this holiday season.
In a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte, Duque raised the need for more hospital beds and mechanical ventilators in hospitals.
“Bilang paghahanda sa atin pong inaasahan surge… at ating kasalukuyang utilization rates, kinakailangan tumaas ng atin na Covid-19 dedicated beds at mechanical ventilators,” the health secretary said.
Department of Health data as of Dec. 10 showed that nationwide, 8,118 of 22,736 beds for Covid-19 patients were occupied. Bed occupancy nationwide stood at 35.7 percent, with 14,618 vacant beds vacant.
“Hihingin natin ang commitment ng mga ospital lalo na ang mga pribadong ospital na maglaan po nang sapat na bilang ng kama at mechanical ventilators para po mapaghandaan po natin nang sapat ang posibleng surge in the Covid caseload,” Duque said.
Duque also called on local government units to put up adequate temporary treatment and monitoring facilities in preparation for the holiday surge.
The government has implemented measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 amid the holiday season, including banning caroling, the use of videoke and discouraging family reunions, but quarantine restrictions nationwide still allowed people to go around.
The country has recorded 454,447 Covid-19 cases as of Dec. 17. John Ezekiel J. Hirro