Six cities have 100% ICU utilization rate —Duque

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday bared that six cities have already reached 100% intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rate.

At a congressional hearing, Duque was asked about the data being released by the Department of Health on utilization rates of ICU beds and isolation beds in hospitals, especially in the National Capital Region.

Batanes Representative Ciriaco Gato Jr. questioned the DOH data, stating that the ICU and isolation beds were not yet fully-occupied, however, a number of patients are still not being admitted.

"Mayroon po tayong anim na siyudad na ang ICU utilization rate ay nasa 100%. Kaya nga po nasabi ko kanina dadagdagan natin ang ICU beds natin at nakipagkasunduan po tayo sa mga malalaking private hospitals na dagdagan nila at sabi nila sa amin noong nakaraang Sabado, magdadagdag sila ng 150 ICU beds sa kanilang malalaking ospital," Duque answered.

(We have six cities which already reached 100% ICU utilization rate. I have mentioned earlier that we will add more ICU beds and we had an agreement with big private hospitals. They said they will add 150 ICU beds in their big hospitals.)

Duque did not specify the six cities.

There has been a spike in the number of COVID-19 infections in some areas of the country, including Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Due to the surge, most hospitals have reached full capacity.

According to Duque, modular hospitals will be built to cater to severe and critical COVID-19 patients.

Duque also said mild COVID-19 patients or those who are asymptomatic can stay in isolation and quarantine facilities and not in hospitals.—AOL, GMA News