Expert group calls on citizens to impose 'personal ECQ'
Occupancy in Metro Manila hospitals will possibly rise to about 70 percent by the end of March, the OCTA Research Group said Tuesday (March 16).
Dr. Guido David of the OCTA Research Group said the current occupancy in the national capital region is still “okay.” However, it can “fill up very quickly.”
David said hospital bed occupancy in Metro Manila is at 50 percent while ICU (Intensive Care Unit) bed occupancy is at 65 percent.
“We have a very short timeline on how quick we have to contain this pandemic,” David warned.
David said it will be “problematic” if hospitals would call anew for a timeout due to critical bed occupancy.
“This would be problematic for people getting COVID and they are in the severe or critical condition because they will not be able to seek medical care anymore when hospitals are getting filled up,” David said.
Asked if a stricter lockdown in Metro Manila will make a change in terms of slowing down the pandemic and the progression of the spike in cases, the expert said: “Based on scientific fact, yes this would definitely have a bigger impact than the current protocols that are being implemented.”
“Of course, it will have a corresponding impact on the economy, livelihood, and jobs so these things will have to be weighed in balance by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) and ultimately by the President when they make their decision on this,” David said.
'Personal ECQ'
David said the people can do their part by imposing a “personal ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine).”
“We are calling for citizens to have like a personal ECQ. We don't have to have it done by the national or the local government but we can do it by ourselves,” he said.
“We can think of it as a vacation. This is not for everyone, of course. This is for those who can stay at home. Some of them can work from home," he added.
David said the “personal ECQ” will lessen the number of people moving and going outside and will have a “significant impact” in slowing down the pandemic.