DOH sees increase in hospital admissions in NCR

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday noted an increase in the number of hospital admissions in the National Capital Region (NCR) amid the spike in COVID-19 cases.

“Meron po tayong pagtaas sa mga na-admit sa ating mga ospital, partikular na po sa National Capital Region,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at a media briefing.

(We have seen an increase in the number of hospital admissions, particularly in the National Capital Region.)

At present, the bed utilization rate in NCR is at moderate risk of 60% while the ICU utilization rate is at 58%.

Vergeire said 32 out of 159 NCR hospitals do not meet the required COVID-19 capacity allocation, 42 hospitals have high-risk bed utilization, and 29 hospitals have high-risk ICU utilization.

She said occupied beds decreased by 219 while occupied ICU beds increased by 67 compared to the previous week.

“Meron po tayong tinatawag na DOH One Hospital Command Center at nariyan po sila upang tumulong mag refer, mag navigate ng ating mga pasyente sa iba’t ibang ospital kung puno na po ang kanilang ospital na napuntahan,” she said.

(We have the DOH One Hospital Command Center and they will refer, help navigate patients who visited hospitals that are already full.)

According to Vergeire, 75% of the cases reported in January were mild to moderate, 13% were asymptomatic, and 12% were severe and critical.

“Amin pong pinapaalala na maaring manatili muna sa bahay ang mga mild cases. Malaking tulong po ang pag ho-home isolate o quarantine para makatulong mabawasan ang load sa ating mga healthcare workers and even our facilities,” she said.

(Mild cases are reminded to remain at home. Home isolation or quarantine will significantly reduce the burden on healthcare workers and facilities.)

The DOH has also called on local government units to activate telemedicine services, prepare isolation facilities, and monitor probable and confirmed cases. — VBL, GMA News