Private hospitals warn of full capacity if spike in COVID-19 cases left unabated

Private hospitals could reach full capacity in the next three to four weeks if the spike in COVID-19 cases is left unabated, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi) said Friday.

PHAPi president Dr. Jose Rene De Grano said projections that new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila could soar to 5,000 per day by the end of the month could overwhelm hospitals. 

“If we don’t do anything about it then most probably if you follow the trend, maybe in the next three or four weeks, is this not abated, then we’ll be reaching the full capacity in the next four weeks,” he told ANC.

De Grano earlier said the 10% to 15% rise in the COVID-19 bed occupancy rate of private hospitals could have been caused by the new coronavirus variants, the reopening of the economy, and relaxed adherence to health protocols. 

Experts from the OCTA Research group projected that the daily new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila could hit 5,000 by March 31 based on current trends. 

De Grano said staffing issues are also exacerbating the increase in COVID-19 cases.

“A lot of nurses are resigning because they want to go overseas and some are transferring to government facilities,” he said.

“So even if we want to serve, let’s say, 25% of our bed capacity, if our manpower complement can only serve one half of that, then that’s the only number of beds that we will be able to serve,” he added.

The Philippines has 47,769 active COVID-19 cases as of Thursday afternoon. — Julia Mari Ornedo/RSJ, GMA News