Philippine hospitals, LGUs told to prepare for surge in COVID-19 cases

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday called on hospitals and local government units to prepare for the expected surge in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over the holiday season.

In a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang, Duque said data showed the need to augment COVID-19 beds and mechanical ventilators in healthcare and isolation facilities.

“Hihingin natin ang commitment ng mga ospital… na maglaan po ng sapat na bilang ng kama at mechanical ventilators,” Duque said.

“Hihingin natin ang commitment ng mga ospital, lalo na ng mga pribadong ospital, na maglaan po ng sapat na bilang ng kama at mechanical ventilators para po mapaghandaan po natin nang sapat ang posibleng surge,” he added.

Duque also called on local government units to ensure the availability of isolation beds in temporary treatment and monitoring facilities.

He added that health authorities were coordinating with laboratories to ensure their continued operation even amid the holiday season.

Some medical workers earlier said they had started to feel the increase in infections

In August, the medical community’s resounding call for a two-week timeout helped drive down the number of COVID-19 cases.

As the holiday season nears, however, the Department of Health said transmission has also escalated in many cities in Metro Manila.

The daily attack rate and reproduction number of COVID-19 breached 1 in 12 cities in the capital region, indicating sustained transmission.

The Philippines has tallied nearly 453,000 infections as of Wednesday afternoon.-NB, GMA News