The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the Philippines is "similar" to what the country experienced in March and April, a hospital group said Wednesday, Aug. 11.
The country saw over 10,000 daily COVID-19 infections in March and even breached more than 15,000 cases in April.
"Our situation now is similar to what we had in March and April this year. However, it made worse unlike the past there are more patients now who are coming in with non-COVID problems," Philippine Hospital Association President Dr. Jaime Almora said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
Almora noted that the current situation is made worse by the influx of dengue, influenza, and more pediatric cases.
"The condition is serious because we have not really solved our main problem which is a manpower problem and this is a major limiting factor, our manpower in hospitals," he added.
"The COVID cases are there, but unlike before, non-COVID cases are also coming in."
Several hospitals in Metro Manila, including the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, St. Lukes Medical Center, The Medical City, Capitol Medical Center, and St. Clare's Medical Center, recently announced they have hit full capacity due to the rise in COVID-19 patients.