Suspected COVID-19 patients get oxygen tanks in cars outside full hospital in Cebu

At least 30 patients suspected of having COVID-19 received oxygen from tanks placed beside their cars while waiting to be admitted at a private hospital in Cebu City.

According to Raffy Tima's report on "24 Oras," the cars with patients lined up outside the hospital since Friday because the facility's COVID-19 beds were full.

"Thirty-three patients waiting makapasok dito sa loob ng hospital na ito. They are all suspected COVID patients," Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said.

[Thirty-three patients are waiting to get inside. They are all suspected COVID-19 patients.]

Tumulak also assured that health workers are attending to the patients.

"'Di na sila gusto na paulit ulit na paikot ikot, so dito na lang hospital na ito at saka tintignan naman sila ng nurses at doktor," he said.

(Patients and their guardians do not want to keep returning to the hospital so they just stay here outside and nurses and doctors keep on checking them.)

Cebu City government also closed the road in front of the hospital and placed tents for the vehicles carrying patients, said Tumulak.

Further, Tumulak said they are offering fuel to the owners of vehicles in case they run out of fuel.

Since last week, Tumulak revealed that hospitals in Cebu City, even in other municipalities, were already full.

To prevent further increase of coronavirus disease cases, Tumulak also urged the public to strictly follow health protocols.

Cebu province was placed under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions until August 15. —Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News