ILOILO CITY — While there are minimal new COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas region, the Department of Health (DOH-6) assures that hospitals and other health facilities are ready for a renewed surge during the holidays.
“There’s no complacency. Hospitals and other facilities are very well prepared for any surge,” assured Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te, DOH-6’s chief of infectious diseases.
Based on DOH-6 data, the Health Care Utilization Rate (HCUR) is at 25.6 percent. This is the combined HCUR in the region comprising of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces as well as the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.
While the COVID-19 vaccination campaign is not yet complete in the region and many restrictions have been removed, the DOH is still anticipating a surge during the holiday season.
Te said hospitals and other facilities are also preparing to cater firecracker-related injuries.
As of December 8, there are 2,724 active COVID-19 cases with only 36 new cases recorded.