Baguio's major hospitals at full capacity due to COVID-19 surge

Four of Baguio City's major hospitals are now at full capacity as their COVID-19 wards have been filled following the upward trend in the number of new infections.

Saint Louis University Sacred Heart Hospital, Notre Dame De Chartres Hospital, Pines City Doctors Hospital, and Baguio Medical Center can no longer accept COVID-19 patients, according to a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

According to the Baguio City Public Information Office, the city reported 119 new cases on Sunday which brought the total to 8,055. Broken down, 1,041 were active cases; 6,860 had recovered; and 134 died from the disease.

Latest data available from the Department of Health (DOH) shows that as of April 3, 46% of isolation beds, half of the COVID-19 ward beds, and 60% of the intensive care unit (ICU) beds are occupied.

Data from the same department indicates that as of April 2, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has the highest occupancy rate with 77.7% followed by Region II with 76.8%, the National Capital Region (NCR) with 67.6%, and Region IVA with 63.9%.

According to the Philippine Hospital Association, the battle against COVID-19 was now being fought at home where some patients are forced to recuperate given the lack of facilities that will accept them.

"The real warfare now is not in the hospitals. The warfare is at home, with the family and inside the office," Philippine Hospital Association President Dr. Jaime Almora said in a mix of English and Filipino in a separate report.

Meanwhile, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) said most of the hospitals across the country are also fully occupied as beds continue to be filled.

"Talaga pong punong puno na. Actually, chineck namin hindi lang sa NCR pati po ang Calabarzon, Region III, and Region II. Halos po lahat ng hospital po diyan ay umaapaw na," said PHAP President Dr. Jose Rene De Grano.

(Hospitals are filled up. We checked not only in NCR but also in Calabarzon, Region III, and Region II. Nearly all hospitals in these areas are filled beyond capacity.)

The Philippines on Sunday, April 04, reported 11,028 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 to bring the total to 795,051. This includes 135,526 active cases; 646,100 recoveries; and 13,425 deaths. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News