ILOILO – The continued spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in this province is shoving COVID-dedicated beds in capitol-run hospitals here to “critical level”.
Of the 320 dedicated beds for COVID-19 patients in 12 district hospitals and the Iloilo Provincial Hospital, 214 were already occupied as of 8 a.m. on June 9, according to the Hospital Management Office (HMO).
“We’re on the critical level. Our COVID-dedicated beds were already 66.66 percent occupied,” said Dr. Cynthia Cabangal-Ng, HMO chief, in an interview with Panay News.
As to beds for non-COVID patients, out of more or less 500 beds, Ng said occupancy rate was at 50.74 (as of 8 a.m. on June 9).
“We were stretching to the maximum ang amon capacity,” Ng said, noting they can stretch up to 50 percent – around 400 beds – of the authorized bed capacity, based on an advisory of the Department of Health (DOH). Capitol-run hospitals have 813 authorized bed capacity.
Ng added that before June 1, occupancy of COVID-dedicated beds was at 56 percent, however, the figure started to pick up 64.09 percent come June 1 to June 9.
“We don’t only cater to those confirmed and symptomatic COVID-19 patients but also those probable and suspected,” added Ng.
In fact, Ng revealed, there were 127 suspect COVID cases – mostly pregnant women or subjects for surgery – admitted to district hospitals as of June 9.
Meanwhile, 70 confirmed COVID-19 patients were admitted, 47 of which had mild or moderate symptoms.
With this, Ng said the provincial government has started hiring additional manpower for these capitol-run hospitals “in anticipation sa pag-expand sang bed capacity”:
* Aleosan District Hospital in Barangay Bancal, Alimodian
* Barotac Viejo District Hospital in Barangay San Lucas, Barotac Viejo
* Dr. Ricardo S. Provido Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Dalid, Calinog
* Don Valerio Palmares Sr. Memorial District Hospital on Alfelor Street, Passi City
* Dr. Ricardo Y. Ladrido Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Poblacion, Ilawod, Lambunao
* Ramon D. Duremdes District Hospital in Barangay Ilaya 1st, Dumangas
* Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Jibolo, Janiuay
* Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Barangay Rumbang, Pototan
* Jesus M. Colmenares Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Tingui-an, Balasan
* Ramon Tabiana Memorial District Hospital in Barangay Pungtod, Cabatuan
* Rep. Pedro G. Trono Memorial District Hospital on Garriel Street, Guimbal
* Sara District Hospital in Barangay Anoring, Sara.
For Ng, the healthcare system would be far from being overwhelmed only if people follow minimum public health standards such as wearing of facemasks and shields, social distancing and frequent hand sanitation.
“Our hospitals are our last line of defense. So, maski ano pa ina ka stretch sang aton hospitals kon aton mismo nga behavior or ang aton reponsibilidad indi naton matuman… Maabot ang point nga ma-burden ang aton healthcare kag way ‘ta kabalo kon ano mahimu naton,” she stressed.
COVID-19 is something the public shouldn’t be complacent about, Ng added.
As of June 8, Iloilo had 8,897 total COVID-19 cases – 1,971 active, 6,710 recovered and 216 deaths.
The towns recording the highest infections were: Oton – 161, Pavia – 135, Passi City – 123, Miag-ao -101, and Santa Barbara – 89./PN
