3 Covid-19 hospitals reach high risk status

By Connie D. Calipay

The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Bicol announced on Monday, June 7, that “the utilization rate of the three Covid-19 referral hospitals in Bicol particularly their allocated beds for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is now at high risk”.

In a statement issued by DOH Bicol, it said that the overall utilization rate of Covid-19 beds in the region, including private and local government units (LGUs)-owned hospitals, is at 55.29 percent.

The DOH also added that the Covid-19 ICU beds of Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City and the Bicol Region General Hospital and Geriatric Medical Center (BRGHGMC) in Cabusao, Camarines Sur are now at full capacity while the ICU beds of Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) is at 94.60 percent.

With the current situation of the Covid-19 referral hospitals, DOH reiterated its call to all Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region to intensify their response against Covid-19 including stepping up additional isolation facilities.

DOH said only severe and critical cases are to be referred to the three Covid-19 referral hospitals.

“Asymptomatic, mild, and moderate cases shall be isolated in LGU-owned facilities. LGUs are also urged to strictly implement minimum public health standards in their localities to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 in the region,” DOH said.

Health authorities also appeal to the public to observe health protocols against Covid-19 by properly wearing face masks and face shields, maintaining social distancing, hand sanitation, avoidance of mass gathering, proper observance of quarantine, and isolation protocols, and early consultation.

Meanwhile, in a response to DOH’s request for additional isolation and treatment facilities, Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, in his Facebook post, said an additional isolation facility with 40-bed capacity was recently opened by the city government in Sta. Cruz High School building for moderate and severe cases of Covid-19.

Legacion added that the recently opened 40 beds facility will be added to the 40 beds of City College of Naga (CCN) Isolation and Treatment Facility, 10 beds of Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary, and 400-bed quarantine facility of Camarines Sur National High School Liboton Campus.

In Legazpi City, Mayor Noel Rosal has allotted additional hospital beds for senior citizens who are suffering mild and moderate infections. He said most of these beds are at the city-owned hospital.

Due to surging cases of Covid-19 in the region, the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) could no longer accommodate additional patients that need to be treated at intensive care units (ICUs).

“There is an urgent need for us to open additional beds for Covid-19 patients. But we will be accommodating first the senior patients,” Rosal said.

He also ordered the putting up of more isolation facilities to house the mild and asymptomatic patients.

Legazpi City had earlier converted the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation (ICR) as a quarantine and isolation facility.

Rosal also tapped hotels in the city as quarantine areas for mild cases.