CV hospitals utilization rate up

But Covid-19 cases under control, DoH assures

Department of Health-Central Visayas will partner with the Department of Tourism, Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association in Cebu and Bureau of Quarantine to accredit and identify hotels that can house asymptomatic patients

Department of Health-Central Visayas (DoH-7) on Monday confirmed a slight increase in the critical care utilization rate of public and private hospitals.

Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, DoH-7 chief pathologist and spokesperson, said that as of 21 February, the utilization rate of private hospitals reached 47.6 percent and public hospitals 58.7 percent.

On 10 February, private hospitals’ utilization rate was at 40.6 percent.

“We’re seeing a lot of asymptomatic patients in hospitals. We understand the need for the feeling of security for those diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 but we want to transfer them from the hospitals and allocate these beds for patients with mild and moderate symptoms,” Loreche said.

She added DoH-7 is pushing for more hotels to house asymptomatic patients, thereby freeing up hospitals’ occupancy.

“We are working with other partner agencies like the Department of Tourism, Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association in Cebu and Bureau of Quarantine to accredit and identify hotels that can be step-down facilities for patients,” she said.

DoH is also partnering with private hospitals to transfer asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients to temporary treatment and monitoring facilities. She assured Covid-19 cases in the entire Cebu island remained under control.

Of 6,276 active cases in Central Visayas as of 22 February, more than 87 percent are asymptomatic.

Cebu City has 3,176 of those cases, Mandaue 734 and Lapu-Lapu 673.

Of 6,276 active cases in Central Visayas as of 22 February, Cebu City has 3,176, Mandaue 734 and Lapu-Lapu 673.

Among Central Visayas provinces, Cebu has the most number of active infections at 1,211, Negros Oriental 319, Bohol 147 and Siquijor 16.

“Just because we are in the safe zone, it does not mean you have to be reckless. It does not mean you have to be complacent. We want for the people to be mindful as it is an individual responsibility,” Loreche reiterated.

There are currently eight isolation and 18 quarantine hotels accredited to house confirmed and suspected Covid-19 patients in Central Visayas. Two more hotels will be converted into isolation centers soon.