DOH readies more hospital beds

As leptospirosis cases go up in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health yesterday said there are over 600 available beds for leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila, as the DOH noted an increase in patient admissions in San Lazaro Hospital (SLH).

“As of Sept. 3, bed capacity in 20 DOH hospitals in Metro Manila is at 602, including the 260 additional surge beds,” the department said in its report.

The DOH said 23 leptospirosis patients – 17 adults and six children – were admitted yesterday at SLH.

The figure is higher than the 20 admissions recorded on Sept. 4.

“Referral and redistribution of patients in available hospitals that are capable of dialysis and higher level care are continuously being facilitated,” the DOH said.

According to the DOH, at least 1,204,200 doxycycline capsules were distributed as of Sept. 4 in regions with communities affected by flooding.

This is aside from the “available stocks of 2,624,089 capsules across the Centers for Health Development and 40,812 capsules with DOH-retained hospitals and medical centers in Metro Manila,” it added.

The DOH is closely monitoring seven regions with increasing leptospirosis cases, as it noted an upward trend in Soccsksargen, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region, Negros Island Region, Bicol Region and Cagayan Valley.

The National Capital Region, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region are also being monitored after it reached the epidemic threshold twice in the last four weeks.

Leptospirosis cases in the country have reached 6,253 from Jan. 4 to Aug. 29.