PGH could no longer accept severe, critical COVID-19 cases —spokesperson

Severe and critical COVID-19 cases could no longer be accommodated for now at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) as its intensive care unit (ICU) is almost fully occupied, the health facility’s spokesperson said Thursday.

“'Yung ICU namin ay, totoo,  halos puno na talaga. Hindi po kami makakatanggap ng patients na severely or critically ill galing sa ibang hospital dahil medyo puno po sa ICU,” said Dr. Jonas del Rosario in an interview on Unang Hirit.

“Kailangan po naming magbigay ng dalawa o tatlong beds para sa pasyente namin na maaaring mapunta sa ICU,” he added.

According to Del Rosario, PGH has an up-to-95% occupancy rate with at least 172 COVID-19 patients admitted to the health facility.

“May kaunti pa pong kama sa wards. Dahil po doon kailangan po naming salain mabuti kung sino 'yung tatanggapin namin na coordinated transfer,” he said.

Despite this, the PGH has enough health care workers who can attend to COVID-19 patients, according to Del Rosario.

On Monday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire identified the 11 hospitals in Metro Manila that reported a 100% utilization rate of their ICU beds dedicated for COVID-19 patients.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, meanwhile, assured the public that Metro Manila has enough facilities for COVID-19 patients.

As of Wednesday, the country has a total of 50,359 COVID-19 cases with 12,588 recoveries and 1,314 fatalities. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News