Critical care capacity of nation's hospitals improving --Roque
The country's critical care capacity of hospitals has shifted to "medium risk" level from the previous "danger zone," Malacañang announced Tuesday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said more hospital beds have become available to accommodate patients with coronavirus.
"Medyo bumaba po tayo dahil nasa 50% na po tayo. Ang danger point po ay nasa 70%. Ang 50% po ay nasa medium risk so nasa medium risk po tayo ngayon as far as critical care capacity is concerned. (We went down to 50 percent. The danger point is 70 percent while 50 percent is medium risk level. We are now at medium risk as far as critical care capacity is concerned)," Roque said during a televised press briefing Tuesday.
"Actually po magandang balita ito dahil dumami po iyong mga available na mga ICU (intensive care unit) beds at hospital beds (It is good news because we have more available ICU beds and hospital beds)," he said.
As of July 21, the country has recorded 70,764 cases of coronavirus with 1,837 deaths and 23,281 recoveries.
The Department of Health also reported that at least 49.2 percent or 675 of the 1,371 ICU beds are occupied as of July 20.
At least 48.5 percent or 5,136 out of the 10,599 isolation beds are in use. Of the 3,744 ward beds, around 57.7 percent or 2,162 beds are occupied. On ventilators, 503 of the 1,953 units are being used.
COVID hospitals, isolation centersÂ
On the proposed COVID hospitals in Metro Manila, Roque said these hospitals include Philippine General Hospital, National Kidney Institute and Transplant Institute, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center.
Roque also urged people with mild coronavirus or those asymptomatic to avail of the government's isolation centers. He assured that the patients will enjoy "five-star" hotel treatment while staying in these air-conditioned centers.
He said patients will be monitored by doctors and nurses while they enjoy amenities such as free internet.
"Kinakailangan pumunta ka pa rin sa isolation center kung wala kang sariling kuwarto at banyo dahil mahahawa mo ang iyong mga pamilya at iyong mga kapitbahay. Siguro po, ito ay isang dahilan kung bakit patuloy ang pagtaas ng mga kaso. (You must go to isolation centers if you don't have your own room and toilet because you might infect your family and neighbors. Maybe this is one of the reasons behind the increase in the cases)," he said.
"Libre pa po ang pick-up o pasundo papunta po sa ating mga isolation centers (There will be free pick-up or transportation to these isolation centers)," he added.