Tired health workers ask for prayers as COVID-19 cases surge

Tired health workers have asked the public to keep them in their prayers as they battle the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) amid the surge of infections in the country.

According to Saleema Refran's report for "24 Oras," hospitals in Metro Manila have reached 80% capacity per data from the Department of Health.

In the Quezon City General Hospital, 88 out of 103 beds are currently occupied, while Fe Del Mundo Medical Center is also reaching full capacity.

"Sixty-seven talaga ang authorized beds namin kaya lang bumababa ito kasi nga sa limited manpower na available sa amin so ngayon actually 50 na lang ang kaya naming ma-accommodate," said Dr. Elsie Baronia Locson of FDMMC.

She also said that some hospital staff are currently admitted as patients while others are in quarantine.

As of August 1, 5,008 health workers have tested positive for COVID-19. Among them, 1,734 are nurses while 1,100 are physicians.

Doctors and nurses alike, however, vowed that they will continue to fight COVID-19.

"Kahit mag-isa kami at nahiwalay sa pamilya, patuloy po kaming lumalaban para 'yung mga pasyente natin sila po ay makakauwi at patuloy na makakasama ang mga mahal nila sa buhay," said Dr. Romina Ng.

Medical groups appealed for the return of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) to "recalibrate strategies against COVID-19."

The government heeded their call and announced that NCR will be on Modified ECQ from August 4 to August 18.

The number of confirmed cases in the country breached the 100,000 mark on Sunday. —MGP, GMA News