Good number of mild COVID-19 cases occupy NCR isolation facilities –DOH
Published July 10, 2020 12:51pm
COVID-19 isolation facilities in the National Capital Region are being occupied by a good number of mild and asymptomatic cases, which can be attributed to the referral system being implemented by hospitals with limited bed capacities, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Friday.
In a virtual forum, Vergeire said that the Philippine International Convention Center has a 9.5% occupancy rate, the World Trade Center has 70%, and the Las Piñas Rehabilitation Center has 62.9% occupancy rate.
The Quezon Institute, and the Ninoy Aquino Stadium both have 98% occupancy rates.
“Kapag tiningnan natin ang percentage ng occupancy ng ating mega facilities, makikita natin na maganda ang occupancy rate nila… kasi maganda ang relationship ng network dito sa Metro Manila with the mega facilities,” Vergeire said.
“This is being managed and overseen by the National Task Force. Most probably, ang mga wala sa bahay (for home quarantine) nasa mega facilities natin sila,” she added.
The DOH official presented the figures after being asked if the mild COVID-19 cases—which make up most of the recorded infections in the country—are being closely monitored, too.
Vergeire said that the DOH is also working with the Department of the Interior and Local Government in continuously ensuring that those under home quarantine are being accounted for.
The National Capital Region remains to be the top region with the highest number of recorded infections at over 22,000, followed by Central Visayas which has more than 10,000 cases.
Nationwide, the COVID-19 cases have reached more than 51,000 as of July 9. Amid projections that the count could climb to over 100,000 by the end of August, Vergeire said the government is continuously beefing up the health care system.
“We continue to prepare our health system so that if and when this kind of surges happen, we will be prepared. Kailangan lang maging cooperative lahat ng components ng ating health system so that we will be able to cope,” she said.
She added that the DOH has deployed an additional 5,000 health human resources and approved more slots for hiring of more warm bodies in hospitals, laboratories, quarantine facilities, swabbing centers, and primary care facilities. —LBG, GMA News
