By RJ Espartinez
St. Luke’s Medical Center and Makati Medical Center (MMC) have already reached their full capacity of allocated intensive care unit (ICU) beds for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
In separate statements, the hospitals announced Monday that they have reached their full bed capacity for COVID-19 patients.
“We wish to inform the· public that St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City (SLMC-QC) and Global City (SLMC-GC) have reached full capacity of allocated COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) beds as of today, July 13,” the hospital said.
“In this regard, we request the public to consider bringing critically ill COVID-19 suspects to alternative hospitals so they will receive immediate and utmost care,” it added.
However, the St. Luke’s management guaranteed that they will notify the public once they accept new COVID-19 patients needing ICU care.
Meanwhile, both branches continuously admit and treat patients of non-COVID-19 cases as well as outpatient procedures.
“We appeal to the public to avoid complacency and strictly adhere to health protocols and preventive measures against COVID-19,” the hospital added.
Meanwhile, Makati Medical Center also announced that it has reached its full bed capacity and manpower to treat both suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients.
“We regret to inform you that after a thorough review of our bed utilization (particularly the Critical Care Units) and manpower, and in consultation with our COVID-19 medical teams, Makati Medical Center (MMC) has now reached FULL CAPACITY. This is insofar as our capability to handle patients suspected and confirmed to have COVID-19 is concerned,” it said in its statement.
“The COVID-19 zones of MMC, both the regular wards and the Critical Care Units, and especially the Emergency Room, are now full,” it added.
MMC assured the safety and well-being of admitted non-COVID-19 patients as the hospital manages its workflow for coronavirus patients.
This Philippines has seen a steady spike in COVID-19 cases as it eases lockdown restrictions to boost the economy.
For the past 10 days before Monday’s COVID-19 numbers were released, the Health Department had been reporting over 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections daily.
As of Monday, the Philippines has 57,006 COVID-19 cases, including 1,599 deaths and 20,371 recoveries.