Cordillera’s healthcare capacity at high risk due to rise in COVID-19 cases —DOH exec

Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega on Sunday said the healthcare capacity in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is at high risk due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

Interviewed on Dobol B News TV, Vega said most of the cases, even those with mild symptoms and asymptomatic, were admitted in hospitals due to lack of available isolation facilities.

“Tumaas talaga 'yung active cases doon sa CAR,” he said.

“Kung titignan mo naman 'yung healthcare capacity, mataas siya, nasa high risk na siya. Ibig sabihin noon, tumatama na sa 70% or more ang kanyang healthcare utilization,” he said.

According to Vega, the Department of Health (DOH) is now working with local government units in identifying and establishing isolation facilities to reduce the number of patients in hospitals.

The CAR will be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) starting February 1.

Stricter border control will be implemented between Benguet and Mountain Province during the same period.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said travelers seeking to enter Benguet and Mountain Province must present a medical clearance to authorities and only essential travel will be allowed.

Earlier, 12 cases of the UK coronavirus variant were detected in Bontoc, Mountain Province. 

On Monday, DOH confirmed the local transmission of the new UK coronavirus variant in Bontoc. —KG, GMA News