Covid-19 admissions in private hospitals across the Philippines remained low and manageable according to a health expert.

Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) President Dr. Jose Rene de Grano, on Thursday, Nov. 24, said aside from hospitals in Western and Central Visayas, Covid-19 cases in private hospitals across the country “are not increasing.”

“Ang hospital utilization rate ay hindi naman gaanong tumataas. Karamihan sa lahat ng regions ay low risk pa rin – less than 25 percent, except sa Visayas na nakita nating medyo tumaas na ng above 25 percent... 'yung regions six and seven (The hospital utilization rate in private hospitals is not increasing much. Almost all the regions are still low risk at less than 25 percent except in Visayas where we recorded a slight increase – above 25 percent in regions six and seven),” said de Grano in a Laging Handa public briefing.

“Generally, in private hospitals, Covid-19 cases are not increasing,” he added.

This, according to the expert, may be because the majority of patients with mild to moderate Covid-19 symptoms refuse to be admitted to the hospital “unless they have comorbidities.”

“So kahit tumaas ang positivity rate ay hindi randam to ng private hospitals. Hindi lang natin alam kung dumadami sa mga government facilities ang mga naaadmit nila (So even if the positivity rate continues to increase, it will not be sensed by private hospitals. We, however, are not certain if admissions in government facilities are increasing),” he said.

NKTI's ER at full capacity

In relation to this, the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI) on Wednesday, Nov. 23, announced that its Emergency Room (ER) has reached “full capacity” after an overwhelming number of admissions. This prompted the government-owned hospital to refer patients to other admitting facilities.

“Itong NKTI ay specialty hospital po ito. Kapag dumating ang mga gantong panahon ay nagkaroon ng maraming viral disease. Ang mga may comorbidities na ito at mga immunocompromised dumarami po sila at nagkaroon sila ng tinatawag na emergency admissions (NKTI is a specialty hospital. During this time of the year, many viral diseases occur. Those with comorbidities and those who are immunocompromised increases, hence the occurrence of the so-called emergency admissions),” de Grano explained.

Asked if there are reports of full capacity in private hospitals, de Grano said none so far.

Covid-19 prevention

In terms of Covid-19 prevention, de Grano urged the public to continue observing health protocols, such as but not limited to wearing masks.

“Para maiwasan natin itong pagkalat ng Covid-19, kami ay nakikiusap din na ang pagsusuot natin ng mask ay gawin nating responsibilidad nang sa gayon ay di tayo makahawa (In order for us to prevent the spread of Covid-19, we are urging the public to be responsible in wearing their masks so that we do not infect others if we are sick),” said the expert.

The private hospitals group likewise called on the Department of Health (DOH), local government units (LGUs), as well as other concerned agencies to continue the administration of booster jabs to further protect Filipinos amid the ongoing health crisis.