The Department of Health (DOH) expressed hope that the Philippines will not experience the same surge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases that hit India amid growing concerns on the highly transmissible Delta coronavirus variant.
“I hope not,” said DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega during the Palace press briefing on Tuesday, August 10.
Vega said that the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will help curb the rising number of cases.
“Alam naman natin na napaaga natin yung ECQ at ito ay preemptive response and we hope na itong transmission ng virus na ito ay ma stall natin or maprevent para hindi maoverwhelm ang ating healthcare system capacity (We know that we imposed the ECQ early and this is a preemptive response and we hope that the virus transmission can be stalled or prevented so as not to overwhelm our healthcare system capacity),” said Vega.
Vega noted a spike in cases in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), National Capital Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao region.
“Itong pagtaas ay dahilan din kaya tumataas ang ating healthcare utilization at napansin na ang healthcare utilization sa Metro Manila ay nasa threshold na ng moderate risk (This spike in cases is also the reason why our healthcare utilization is increasing. The healthcare utilization in Metro Manila is already at the threshold of moderate risk),” he said.
Vega said that additional medical equipment were distributed to several hospitals.
“Nagpadala na rin kami ng resources for intensive care. Mga mechanical ventilators, high flow nasal cannula, at saka mga BiPAP machines at ito ay naibigay namin sa mga areas na mataas ang kaso lalo na sa critical care (We have also sent resources for intensive care. Mechanical ventilators, high flow nasal cannula, as well as BiPAP machines and we have provided these in areas experiencing high cases),” he said.
“Handa kaming magtulong sa lahat ng mga hospitals na nangangailangan ng ibang resources or manpower para matulungan ang kanilang pag service sa critical care patients (We are ready to help all hospitals that need other resources or manpower to help them serve their critically-ill patients),” he added.