Makati COVID-19 cases increasing, beds in 2 hospitals 93% occupied

The Makati City Health Department on Monday reported an increase in COVID-19 cases in the city.

Assistant City Health Officer Dr Rolando Unson told GMA News that the beds allocated for COVID-19 patients at the Ospital ng Makati and Makati Medical Center are now 93% occupied.

“Usually, lahat ng close contact na nire-report sa amin ay PCR [polymerase chain reaction] po ang ginagamit naming pang-swab. Kaya po maganda ang nakukuha nating resulta kasi nahuhuli po natin 'yung mga nahahawa po, nagkakaroon ng mga sintomas, kahit po asymptomatic,” Unson said.

Unson reported that there are 632 active cases in Makati, with Barangays Pio de Pilar and Bangkal reporting the highest numbers.

The two barangays are nearest to Pasay City where the South Africa variant of the virus was detected.

When asked if the increase in the active cases in Makati could be due to the situation in Pasay City, Unson replied, “Hindi na po natin masabi pero mostly po diyan is meron pong mga tumatawid galing ibang cities. Talaga pong sentro ang Makati.”

Unson also reported that quarantine facilities in Makati are almost full.

This despite the preference of many asymptomatic patients to go on home quarantine instead.

But Unson also cited that violations in home quarantine could have contributed to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Makati.

“Puwede pong isang part talaga 'yan kaya po pinu-push nga po namin na dalhin po sila sa quarantine facilities. Kaya lang po, marami ang matitigas ang ulo na ayaw pong sumama talaga, na nakikipag-away. Pero 'yun nga po, pinapakiusapan namin sila na sumama na lang po sa amin para madala sila sa quarantine facilities,” Unson said.

He however clarified that the COVID-19 situation in Makati has not yet reached levels that are alarming.

“Nagugulat tayo na tumataas talaga. Pero sasabihin nating alarming is hindi naman. Kasi most ng cases natin is hindi critical. Marami sa kanila, asymptomatic,” Unson explained.

To ensure that minimum health protocols are followed, the Makati City local government will tap barangay officials and will field personnel with public address systems.

In its latest report, the OCTA Research group named Makati City as one of four high-risk areas in the National Capital Region for COVID-19 based on attack rate.

Lapses in compliance with safety protocols contributed to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Department of Health said Monday, amid claims the rise in infections is being driven by coronavirus variants. —KG, GMA News