30% at hospitals for COVID-19 in Cebu City are mild cases

CEBU, Philippines — Thirty percent of COVID-19 patients admitted at hospitals in Cebu City are mild cases, prompting officials to call on residents who may test positive later on with the same condition or those who do not manifest symptoms to stay at isolation centers so that hospitals can cater to moderate or severe cases.

“Thirty percent of these admitted patients are mild. We could have a much lower COVID occupancy rate (OCR) if they are isolated in our City Health/DOH accredited hotels or second level isolation centers. Our goal is for our hospitals not to be overwhelmed,” said Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

As of Monday, the city’s critical care utilization rate is at 51.7 percent, which means 502 beds in hospitals allocated for COVID patients are occupied. At least 469 beds remain vacant. 

Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, chief pathologist and spokesperson of the Department of Health (DOH)-7, said even asymptomatic patients have preferred to stay at hospitals because they are more comfortable there.

“Our critical utilization is still in the safe zone but what we are seeing a lot of asymptomatics that are already in the hospitals because they feel very comfortable and feels well taken care of,” Loreche said.

“They should be in a TTMF (temporary treatment and monitoring facilities). Hindi sila dapat sa hospital because we want the hospitals to be really for those that will require hospitalization,” Loreche added.

Those who need to be hospitalized are those with moderate to severe symptoms and critically ill individuals.

Garganera said the city wants to prevent the same situation in 2020 when those who have worse conditions could no longer be accommodated.

“Kay kana siya nga atong health care facility, we cannot afford nga mahitabo sauna nga taas kaayo ang atong queue lane unya ang kato na nuon mga naglisod, mga critical, wala na nuon kasulod. Dili ta gusto na mahitabo na pagbalik,” Garganera said.

Garganera said the Department of Health, Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association in Cebu (HRRAC), Department of Tourism (DOT) and EOC are facilitating the accreditation of hotels so that they can help decongest the city’s health care facilities.

Loreche said the DOH and Department of Tourism has set requirements for hotels and pension houses to be accredited as isolation facility. A medical doctor and staff will be monitoring patients staying at hotels and pension houses.

Meanwhile, Garganera said there are instances when the city allows asymptomatic patients to isolate at their houses. He said these patients may be allowed home quarantine if their household members are not vulnerable to COVID-19 such as the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.

The city would also require a separate room and a separate comfort room for the patient.

Patients with pre-existing ailment may also choose home quarantine because of their delicate situation.

Loreche said there is a need to prepare ahead in case the number of moderate to severe cases increases, taking a cue from last year when hospitals became overwhelmed.

Isolation facilities

In Cebu City, asymptomatic patients may be isolated at the New Normal Oasis for Adaptation and a Home (NOAH) Complex at the South Road Properties or at a Barangay Isolation Center (BIC).

Those with mild symptoms can stay at the Cebu City Quarantine Center at the North Reclamation Area.

But the NOAH Complex became controversial recently when a social media post alleged that the complex is “not conducive for isolation anymore”.

This prompted the city to augment the facility’s sanitation workforce.

Status

Recent data showed that only the mountain barangay of Tabunan remains COVID-free in Cebu City as of February 23.

Of the 1,049 residents tested on February 22, positivity rate is at 17.63 percent.

Based on data from DOH-7, Cebu City has 3,151 active cases as of February 23. At least 231 more patients recovered bringing to 12,795 the total number of recoveries.

Seven hundred twenty-six have died from the disease. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, JMO (FREEMAN)