Private hospitals ready for surge in Covid-19 cases

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor

Private hospitals all over the country are ready in case of another rise in number of Covid-19 cases after the national elections.

In a recent televised public briefing, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi) president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said increase in Covid-19 cases is a possible effect of election-related rallies.

“’Yung mga ospital naman po ‘di nila sinara ang mga Covid wards, nakahanda po ang mga ‘yun (The [private] hospitals did not close the Covid wards, they are available anytime),” he added.

The number of Covid-19 patients admitted in private hospitals remains low, he said.

“’Yung mga nagpa-positive talaga karamihan dito ay ‘yung mga immunocompromised na nagkakaroon po siguro, nahahawa lang kaya nagpa-positive (Those who are [Covid-19] positive are the immunocompromised. They may have only been infected with the disease),” De Grano said.

Most of the healthcare workers in private hospitals are fully vaccinated and have received their booster shots, he added.

Nationwide, Covid-19 cases remain low with only about 200 daily average from April 25 to May 1.

Data from the National Covid-19 Vaccination Dashboard show a total of 2,955,589 healthcare workers are fully vaccinated nationwide as of May 1.

Of the tally, about 1,359,209 have already received their booster doses. (PNA)