DAVAO CITY, Philippines – With the surge of new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the region, the Department of Health (DOH-XI) announced that the present critical care utilization rate is still manageable.
DOH’s Angela Villareal said the Davao Region has set up temporary treatment and monitoring facilities (TTMF) to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed.
Based on the data she presented, there are 860 TTMF in the region that cater to mild COVID-19 cases and function as makeshift isolation facilities. They have a total bed capacity of 7,330.
“We have 42.86% occupancy rate at this time. The utilization of hospital beds is 56.7% and hospital isolation beds are 52.7%. Thus, we can still quarantine mild COVID-19 cases, close contacts, locally stranded individuals, and healthcare workers,” Villareal assured
She added they also conduct monitoring should there be a surge in cases to ensure the preparation for additional beds.
Meanwhile, in Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the occupancy rate is below the warning level at 64-66%. Out of the 249 beds, 129 beds are currently occupied while 15 ICU (intensive care unit) beds are occupied out of 33.
Dr. Ricardo Audan, chief of Clinics and Health Emergency and SPMC’s OIC, said the hospital went into a critical level on July 8-10 and July 23-24 due to a spike in cases. But it was able to manage by August.
As of Aug. 7, the DOH declared 50% bed occupancy based on 1,882 facilities. (davaotoday.com)
