The Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) in Quezon City said the hospital's emergency room has already reached full capacity amid the rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
LCP spokesperson Dr. Norberto Francisco said that they already expanded their emergency room to three rooms just to accommodate more patients.
"Kahapon (April 3) napilitan kaming maglabas ng public advisory na 200 percent of capacity na yung aming emergency room. So, hindi lang puno. Punong-puno. And that is because yung loob ng ospital---puno na rin. In fact, yung ospital, puno na kami for the past two weeks at least (Yesterday we were forced to issue a public advisory that our emergency room has already reached 200 percent capacity. So, it's not just full. It's really full. And that is because--inside the hospital, it's full too. In fact, the hospital has been full for the past two weeks at least)," said Francisco in an interview over radio DZBB on Sunday, April 4.
"Itong capacity ng emergency room, talagang lumaki na nang lumaki. In fact, nag-expand na kami ng emergency room. Tatlo na ang emergency room ngayon. We are maintaining one for the clean cases, yung mga non-COVID, because Lung Center is still mandated to treat all forms of lung diseases (The capacity of the emergency room has really increased. In fact, we have expanded the emergency room. There are now three emergency rooms. We are maintaining one for the clean cases--for the non-COVID ones, because Lung Center is still mandated to treat all forms of lung diseases)," he said.
"Ginagawan lang namin ng paraan yung nasa emergency room. Nagdadagdag kami ng mga kama, ng mga stretchers, mga reclining chairs. Siyempre, kasama doon ang mga oxygen supply, IV lines, mga infusion pumps kapag kailangan kasi may mga dumadating na talagang severe and critical (We are doing everything for those in the emergency room. We're adding beds, stretchers, reclining chairs. Of course, that includes oxygen supplies, IV lines, infusion pumps when needed because there are those who come who are really severe and critical)," he furthered.
Aside from their emergency room, the capacity of LCP's COVID-19 wards also reached 100 percent, as stated in the advisory.
"We are currently not accepting walk-in and uncoordinated transfer of COVID-19 patients as well as elective surgical and non-emergency medical non-COVID-19 patients," the LCP said.
The LCP said that "COVID and non-COVID consultations are accepted" by contacting their concierge hotline at 8924-6101 local 1156.
Francisco said 23 hospital staff are currently being treated for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, a total of 198 staff have already recovered from the viral illness, he said.
Francisco advised the public to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures amid the current health crisis.
"Pinaka importante sa lahat ng tao talaga is mag-ingat. Hindi lang minimum health protocol standards, i-maximize nyo na. Lahat ng pwede nyong gawin, gawin ninyo para hindi kayo mahawa at para hindi kayo magkasakit (The most important thing for everyone is to be careful. Maximize the minimum health protocol standards. Do everything you can not be infected). The worst thing that can happen now is you will need a hospital and you cannot get a bed," he said.