By Cherrylin Caacbay and Khriscielle Yalao
Seven local government-run hospitals in Metro Manila are struggling with the increasing number of patients with COVID-19 with some temporarily halting new admissions.
As of Jan. 3, the City of Manila recorded 766 active cases, 91,143 recoveries, and 1,775 deaths.
The emergency room and laboratory of the Gat Andres Bonifacio Medical Center (GABMC) in Manila closed starting Jan. 1 in order to clean and disinfect its facilities, and transfer those with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 cases to quarantine facilities.
GABMC stated that incoming patients will be evaluated but will be transferred to other nearby hospitals.
According to GABMC Director Dr. Ted Martin, around 50 hospital staff contracted COVID-19.
The Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital (JJASGH) reopened at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 3 after announcing its closure on Jan. 1 due to the relocation of COVID-19 patients to quarantine facilities.
Seventy percent of the hospital’s beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients in JJASGH, but holding tents located at the parking lot were made available to accommodate new patients.
Other hospitals in Manila such as the Sta. Ana Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila, Ospital ng Sampaloc, and Ospital ng Tondo remain open for admissions.
Quezon City
Quezon City logged 1,434 active cases, 178,705 recoveries, and 1,629 deaths on Jan. 1
The Novaliches District Hospital, the Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH), and the Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital in Quezon City are not accommodating outpatients starting Jan. 3 and 4.
However, teleconsultations and telemedicine services are available in the three hospitals, according to the Quezon City Public Information Office (PIO).
Caloocan City
According to the Caloocan City Health Department, there are 185 active cases, 60,744 recoveries, and 1,635 deaths in the city as of Jan. 3.
The Out-Patient Department (OPD) of the Caloocan City Medical Center (CCMC) closed indefinitely starting Jan. 3. However, the hospital’s emergency room remains open.
The Caloocan City North Medical Center (CCNMC) also implemented a no walk-in policy for its OPD starting Jan. 3. Scheduling appointments are done through text, and those consulting for COVID-19 related symptoms are encouraged to contact their barangays and self-isolate.
Malabon City
As of Jan. 3, Malabon City had 316 active cases, 20,634 recoveries, and 660 deaths.
The Ospital ng Malabon is not admitting outpatients and non-COVID-19 related cases from Jan. 2 to 4 in order to conduct disinfection operations.
The Malabon Public Information Office (PIO) said that 19 hospital workers tested positive for COVID-19 and 40 others are under observation.
Outpatients and non-COVID-19 related concerns are referred to the Super Health Center at Brgy. Catmon in Malabon.
Pasig City
Pasig City logged 164 active cases; 57,967 recoveries, and 1,469 deaths on Jan. 2.
The Pasig City General Hospital (PCGH) and Pasig City Children’s Hospital (PCCH) are still accepting patients, but all COVID-19 cases are brought to the COVID-19 Referral Center under the PCCH.
The COVID-19 Referral Center has a 200 bed capacity including all extensions and holding areas.
There are 31 COVID-19 positive patients in the referral center as of Jan. 3. Three hospital staff in the referral center tested positive for COVID-19, and four others are under observation, according to the Pasig City Public Information Office (PIO).
Makati City
According to the Makati City Health Department, there are 257 active COVID-19 cases, 44,218 recoveries, and 989 deaths as of Jan. 3.
Both the Ospital ng Makati (Osmak) and the Makati Medical Center (MMC) are open to patients.
As of Jan. 1, the Osmak had a 40.6 percent occupancy rate for COVID-19 patients, with 58 beds occupied and 85 beds vacant. The MMC had a 47.9 percent occupancy rate, with 46 beds occupied, and 50 beds vacant.
Valenzuela City
As of Jan. 3, Valenzuela City has 313 active cases, 35,065 recoveries, and 849 deaths. The Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital is open, but only admitting patients manifesting mild COVID-19 symptoms.
San Juan City
San Juan City has 255 active cases, 15,474 recoveries, and 337 deaths as of Jan. 3. The San Juan Medical Center and Cardinal Santos Medical Center are both open, with a 32 percent COVID-19 occupancy rate in each.
Muntinlupa City
Muntinlupa City recorded 295 active cases, 27,043 recoveries,and 579 deaths, as of Jan. 3. The Ospital ng Muntinlupa is still open for new COVID-19 patients, and that the COVID-19 situation in the city “is manageable.”
Paranaque City
The Ospital ng Parañaque in Parañaque City is also open to admitting new COVID-19 patients amid 197 active cases, 37, 150 recoveries, and 752 deaths as of Jan. 2.
The cities of Navotas, Pasay, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Taguig, Las Piñas, and the municipality of Pateros have not provided their data, as of this writing.
On Jan. 3, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) issued Resolution No. 22-01, restricting the mobility of unvaccinated individuals in public spaces except for necessities like acquiring essential goods and services. Unvaccinated individuals are mandated to stay home while the metropolis is under the Alert Level 3.
Curfew for minors
Only the cities of Manila and Marikina have imposed curfew for minors. Manila’s curfew is from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. while Marikina’s is from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.