Higher health care bed utilization in Region 1 seen

By July 18, 2021Inside News

COVID-19 cases continue to soar in Region 1, putting heavy pressure on existing health care facilities that include Intensive Care Units and ward beds of government and private hospitals, as well as isolation beds of LGU-managed facilities.

The July 12 data released by the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD 1) confirmed that cases in the region have soared to 29,870 (23,667 or 79.2 percent recovered, 732 or 2.5 percent had died and 5,477 or 18.3 percent still confined and isolated).

Dr. Rheuel Bobis, COVID-19 focal person in Region 1, said the region’s 205 ICU beds dedicated for COVID-19 patients, 116 (67 %) are already occupied, leaving only 69 beds available while the region’s 617 ward beds, 344 (56%) are occupied, 276 still available.

The 883 isolation beds set up by LGUs to accommodate asymptomatic patients and patients with mild symptoms, 430 (52%) are occupied and only 405 beds are still available.

Bobis said the data clearly shows that the increase in the utilization of beds of existing ICUs, wards and isolation facilities is an indication of a spike in the number of cases in the region.

Fortunately, the government anticipated the surge and sought to increase the number of beds in government and private hospitals, and of isolation facilities being managed by LGUs, Bobis said.

He said the number of beds of government hospitals combined during the pre-surge was 807 but the latest monitoring revealed there are 1,040 to date or higher by 45.2 %:  private hospitals have increased their beds dedicated for COVID-19 patients to 550 from 456 during the pre-surge.

Meanwhile, 518 temporary treatment monitoring facilities (TTMFs) are 34.61 percent occupied. (Leonardo Micua)

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