The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) on Sunday, Aug. 29 said that emergency rooms in some hospitals in the country are now operating more than 100 percent as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases continue to rise.
"Hindi na kami masyadong nagulat. Ang ospital ngayon talagang punong puno po lalo na 'yung emergency room. Hindi lang 100 percent. Mahigit sa 100 percent (We are not surprised by that number. Hospitals, especially the emergency rooms are at full capacity. Not only at 10 percent. More than 100% percenr)," said PCP president Dr. Maricar Limpin in an interview with DZBB.
She noted that said some hospitals are already operating at 130 percent or 150 percent.
On August 28, the country recorded 19,441 new COVID-19 cases, the highest in a single day since the pandemic began in March last year.
Limpin stressed that some hospitals are also struggling with shortages on medical supplies and ventilators, especially in small hospitals.
"Sa Cebu parang kailangan mag-decide po sila kung sino nangangailangan sa ventilators. Minsan kailangan po nila mamili kung sino most likely mataas ang chance mag-survive versus doon sa isang hindi masyadong mataas ang chance mag-survive (In Cebu, they need to decide who will be needing the ventilators. They need to choose who is most likely to survive versus who will not likely survive)," she said.
The doctor admitted that they are also experiencing lack of supply of COVID-19 vaccines due to the number of patients.
"Nagkaroon po talaga ng problema pagdating po sa stock dahil na rin po sa dami ng mga taong nangangailangan ng gamot (There was really a problem when it came to stock because of the number of people who needed the medicine)," she said.
Limpin, meanwhile, advised those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to have themselves checked first in health centers in their communities before going to the hospital.
"May mga hindi nagpupunta maski sa primary care center sa community natin. Lumalala ang sakit nila bago pumunta sa ospital. Karamihan natatakot sila pero ang nangyayari mas napapasama ho sila dahil hindi sila agad nagkokonsulta (There were who refuse to go to primary care centers. But their health are worsening worsened before they decide to go to the hospitals. Most symptomatic patients are scared but their health will worsen if they refuse to seek medical consultation)," she stressed.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday said the public should still expect a high number of new COVID-19 cases daily due to the threat of highly transmissible Delta variant.