Rising COVID-19 cases affect hospital operations in Western Visayas

Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, the operations of some hospitals in Western Visayas have been affected.

The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City has limited its operations, with its pediatric department accepting only extreme emergency cases, according to a report by GMA Regional TV Early Edition host Adrian Prietos on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

Of the 87 COVID-19 dedicated beds at CLMMRH, 64 are currently occupied.

A total of 36 healthcare workers at the hospital tested positive for COVID-19, while 14 healthcare workers are in isolation following exposure to positive cases.

Hospital officials fear Bacolod City may soon reach critical risk in transmission level due to the fast transmission of the virus in barangays.

"Yes it's very alarming because we never reached that point in the past surges," CLMMRH spokesperson John Michael Gabriel Zaragoza said.

Meanwhile, at the Teresita Locsin Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital in Silay City, operations were suspended at the OB-gyne and outpatient departments.

However, emergency cases will still be admitted.

Five healthcare workers tested positive for COVID-19 at this hospital.

In Iloilo City, meanwhile, the vaccination went smoothly on Monday, a week after crowding occurred.

The local government is preparing a bigger venue for the vaccination of minors aged 5 to 11 years old soon.

In Bacolod City, meanwhile, the vaccination drive is ongoing, with a vaccination bus making the rounds of transportation terminals.

The country registered 3,242,374 total COVID-19 infections, with 37,070 additional cases on Monday. 

The Philippines, Metro Manila and five other regions remain at critical risk for COVID-19, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Monday. —KG, GMA News