SPMC overwhelmed due to increase in COVID-19 cases in Davao City —Galvez

The Southern Philippines Medical Center is now “overwhelmed” following the increase in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Davao City, National Task Force COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said Monday night.

In a nationally televised briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte, Galvez expressed gratitude to National Task Force Against COVID-19 chair Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana after the Armed Forces of the Philippines sent 25 medical personnel composed of six doctors, six nurses and 13 nursing staff to the city to address the surge in cases.

“Malaking tulong po ‘yon kasi binisita po namin ang SPMC dahil kasi overwhelmed po sila,” Galvez said.

He said Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega already established a One Hospital Command in the city to ensure an efficient referral system.

He added that the government also increased SPMC’s bed capacity by 20% to accommodate more patients.

Further, the government also sent high-flow nasal cannulas, Avigan and other drugs to aid severe cases in the city.

Galvez also said that the COVID-19 situation in the city is already stabilizing.

The University of the Philippines OCTA Research team earlier identified Davao City as one of the high-risk areas for COVID-19 transmissions.

Duterte already placed the city under general community quarantine until the end of the year. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News