The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring three hospitals in Metro Manila that are reportedly at full bed capacity due to the increasing number of COVID-19 patients, according to DOH Usec. Eric Tayag on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
"Sa Metro Manila, may tatlong ospital na puno na ang kanilang allocation sa [pag-admit] ng COVID-19," Tayag said in an interview during Dos Por Dos.
He identified the hospitals as National Kidney and Transplant Institute, the Philippine Children's Medical Center, and one private hospital.
Usec. Eric Tayag, DOH, sa pagtaas ng COVID-19 cases: Sa aming talaga mula December 5 to December 11, umakyat sa 1, 821 ang bagong kaso ng COVID na naireport sa buong bansa. #DosPorDos#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) December 12, 2023
LIVE:https://t.co/QcwixjjIKw pic.twitter.com/LWYBYm6Dsi
Tayag, however, noted that hospitals in the rest of the country have yet to reach full bed occupancy.
"Sa pangkalahatan, maraming ospital ang bakante ang kanilang allocation bed para sa COVID," he said.
The DOH official said they are also monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Western Visayas and Davao regions.
Increasing COVID-19 positivity rate
As of Tuesday, Dec. 12, the health department has recorded 183 new COVID-19 cases nationwide, pushing the active cases to 3,813.
The total number of COVID-19 cases recorded across the country is now 4,127,769 while death toll stood at 66,779.
The regions with the high COVID-19 cases are the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas.
Screengrab from DOH website
Last Dec. 11, the Philippine General Hospital released a guidelines in which it was said that masking is once again mandated to all patients, visitors, staff, and trainees amidst rising COVID-19 cases.
In an update posted on X on Tuesday evening, OCTA Research fellow Guido David reported that the 7-day positivity rate in the country stood at 11.1 percent.
December 12 2023 DOH reported 183 new Covid-19 cases, 0 deaths, 246 recoveries 3813 active cases. 11.1% 7-day positivity rate. 84 cases in NCR. Projecting 175-225 new cases on 12.13.23 #COVID19@dzbb @ali_sotto @AthenaImperial_ @wengsalvacion@DrTonyLeachon @DZAR1026 pic.twitter.com/CN05jz8kfp
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) December 12, 2023
In explaining the rise in positivity rate, Tayag said: "Kung tumataas, dalawa lang ang ibig sabihin. Una, talagang maraming kaso. Pangawala, kaunti lang ang nagpapa-test. Pwede mangyari iyon."
The DOH official said there are patients with severe and critical COVID-19 virus recorded.
"Ngayon, sinasabi namin na 'pag bakunado ka ay maaaring hindi ka na ma-ospital. Tinitingnan namin ngayon itong mga nasa severe o critical kung sila ay kumpleto sa bakuna o hindi," he added.
Tayag furthered that the health department is closely looking into the situation in the intensive care unit (ICU).
"Sa katunayan, tinitingnan namin ang ICU, mukhang napupuno na rin. Inaasahan namin na baka sa susunod na araw o linggo ay ganoon," he said.
