Doctors’ group backs OCTA position
According to Limpin, the capacity of most of hospitals is now at 200 percent because of the continued spike in the Covid cases
The Philippine College of Physicians on Sunday backed the statement of the OCTA Research Group that the implementation of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal has not been effective in containing the surge of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases.
In a radio interview, Philippine College of Physicians vice president Dr. Maricar Limpin noted that the group even submitted to Malacañang a position paper pushing to maintain the enhanced community quarantine
(ECQ) in the NCR Bubble plus.
“Actually, we submitted our recommendation to maintain the ECQ instead of modified ECQ but apparently, our position was not considered but we respect the government’s decision,” Limpin said.
She added that the hospitals are still overwhelmed by Covid patients.
“When the modified ECQ was announced, one of our worries is the surge in Covid cases since some of the restrictions were removed. We have yet to take a break and breath, and we expect an increase in the cases because of the modified ECQ,” she added.
According to Limpin, the capacity of most of hospitals is now at 200 percent because of the continued spike in the Covid cases.
Limpin warned that the ongoing distribution of financial assistance to those affected by the implementation of the ECQ could be a super spreader of the virus.
“We are really trying to accommodate those who want to be treated against the virus so the emergency department of hospitals are full, it is about 200 percent capacity. The emergency rooms are being used as ward and ICU (intensive care unit) rooms since patients cannot be admitted simply because we have no vacant rooms,” Limpin explained.
She added that the effect of the ECQ is expected to be felt after two to three more weeks.
“So right now, the situation before the declaration of an ECQ is still the same. In fact, we see many severe and critical cases. It is really frustrating because by the time we see a patient, his condition is already serious,” she noted.
At the same time, Limpin warned that the ongoing distribution of financial assistance to those affected by the implementation of the ECQ could be a super spreader of the virus.
We acknowledged that the community quarantine is just a temporary solution. What we want is a permanent solution. Time and again we always say that what is important is to have an effective contact tracing, testing, isolate and then treat to be able to really manage the Covid cases in the country,” she said.
“As you can see, social distancing is not being observed during the distribution of financial aid and this could result to an outbreak of Covid cases. There should be a better way of distributing this ayuda where the beneficiaries do not need to fall in line,” she said.
Limpin said that the contact tracing is still key in bringing down the Covid cases in the NCR Bubble plus.
“We acknowledged that the community quarantine is just a temporary solution. What we want is a permanent solution. Time and again we always say that what is important is to have an effective contact tracing, testing, isolate and then treat to be able to really manage the Covid cases in the country,” she said.