NCR strengthening telemedicine to avoid overwhelming hospitals amid COVID-19 spike —Abalos

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said Wednesday that telemedicine is being strengthened in Metro Manila so that hospitals will not be overwhelmed amid the spike in COVID-19 infections.

Abalos explained that not all COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila need to be confined in hospitals and medical facilities.

"Once sa triage naman, na-assess, hindi naman lahat dapat i-ospital eh. Kaya nga importante on the ground, pinapalakas po namin 'yung sa local government, 'yung telemedicine. Napakaimportante po nito. Tatawagan mo, kamusta na, anong sintomas, oxygen level," Abalos said during a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

(Once it's already assessed in the triage, some patients do not need to be hospitalized. That's why we are strengthening telemedicine in the local government units. It is important that the condition of the patient is being monitored.) 

"Mahirap ma-overwhelm naman ang ating ospital. Dapat ang ating ospital ay doon lamang talaga sa mga nangangailangan nang husto," he added.

(It will be difficult if the hospitals will be overwhelmed. Hospitals should only be for those who need to be confined.)

To further deter the spread of the virus in the metro, the Metro Manila Council directed unvaccinated residents to stay at home unless they are buying and accessing essential goods and services while the National Capital Region is under Alert Level 3.

The NCR is under Alert Level 3 until January 15.

The Philippines recorded 5,434 additional coronavirus disease infections on Tuesday, raising the Philippines' total tally to 2,861,119.

The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were Metro Manila with 3,826 or 71%, Calabarzon with 864 or 16% and Central Luzon with 333 or 6%. —KG, GMA News