Vergeire: Cebu City hospitals near critical point amid COVID-19 crisis

Cebu City hospitals are already close to hitting a tipping point in terms of vital care resources and number of patients, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Thursday.

In a press conference, Vergeire said most of the health facilities in the city are in Level 1 category, which means they do not have the capacity to offer intensive care unit (ICU).

“Ngayon sa Cebu, ang situation, tulad ng sabi ko, nearing critical point 'yung kanilang mga critical care resources like the isolation beds, ‘yung mga ICU, tsaka mechanical ventilators,” she said.

“Marami sa kanila Level 1 hospital. Hindi sila puwedeng magkaroon ng ICU. Kailangan pa nilang mag-add on service, magkuha ng additional equipment, espesyalista para sila ay payagan,” she added.

Vergeire noted that there are only few tertiary  level hospitals in Cebu City.

LOOK: Cebu City’s case doubling time for COVID-19 cases was 7.62 days. The critical care and isolation bed utilization was at 62.45%, based on DOH data as of June 30. Cebu City is currently under ECQ. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/XYbmBeH2O9

— Joviland Rita (@jovilandxrita) July 2, 2020

“’Yung iba pang malalaking hospitals sa Cebu ay medyo nandoon na sa critical na marami na talagang naka-admit. Tapos ‘yung mechanical ventilators nila, marami na rin ang gumagamit,” she added.

Chong Hua Hospital, for example, was already occupied by 98 percent, according to Vergeire.

She said 188 of the 190 regular beds, and also 19 of the 20 ICU beds were already occupied.

Aside from this, at least 238 of its health workers are currently under quarantine.

Thus, Vergeire said the DOH facilitating the augmentation of additional health workers to attend to patients.

Based on DOH data as of June 30, Cebu City’s critical care and isolation bed utilization was at 62.45%. Its case doubling time for COVID-19 cases was 7.62 days.

Cebu City is currently under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). —LBG, GMA News