ICU bed occupancy rate remains at ‘high risk’ as DOH anticipates new peaks

The utilization rate of intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients remains at "high risk" as the Department of Health (DOH) anticipates cases to reach new peaks in the upcoming weeks, DOH data showed Thursday.

According to the latest bulletin, around 75% of the 3,900 ICU beds in the country are occupied while 77% of the 1,300 beds in the National Capital Region (NCR) are in use.

Occupancy rate is considered "high risk" if it is more than 70% but less than 85%

Meanwhile, ward beds nationwide remain under the moderate category with 69% of the 14,700 beds in use.

Occupancy rate recorded between 60% to 69% is considered moderate.

However, 71% of the 4,200 total ward beds in NCR are occupied, marking the ward beds in the region at high risk.

Data also showed that 54% of the country’s 3,200 mechanical ventilators are in use while 58% of the 1,100 mechanical ventilators in NCR are occupied.

The Philippines on Thursday reported 16,313 new cases, marking the 16th straight day where more than 10,000 daily infections were recorded.

This brings the total tally to 1,899,200 cases, including 32,728 who have succumbed to the illness.

The DOH previously explained that it would take around two to three weeks after the lifting of the ECQ for the effects of the lockdown to become evident. — BM, GMA News