DESPITE a spike in COVID-19 cases recently, hospital admissions continue to be at “very manageable” levels, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) said yesterday.
But admissions for dengue patients have gone up, said PHAPI president Dr. Rene de Grano.
“It slightly went up. Based on our data, the numbers increased by almost 200 percent compared to last year,” he said in a briefing.
De Grano said the dry season coupled with the water problem is seen as the biggest cause for the surge in dengue cases.
Records of the Department of Health showed 27,670 dengue cases recorded from January 1 to March 18 this year.
This is 94 percent higher compared to the 14,278 dengue cases reported during the same period last year.
On hospitalizations for COVID cases, De Grano said, “The healthcare utilization rate is not climbing, especially in private hospitals. The numbers are very manageable.”
But he said there are some regions where admissions are on the rise.
“We have some (increase) in the National Capital Region, Davao Region, Caraga, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas,” he said.
He said admissions usually happen among COVID-hit senior citizens and people with comorbidities.
“If they are positive (for COVID), they are advised for admission for monitoring purposes,” he said.
Earlier, the DOH said there is an increasing trend in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.
Based on the latest COVID-19 Case Bulletin, the country’s average daily cases went up to 341 cases daily (April 10 to 16), from 278 (April 3 to 9).
The Archdiocese of Manila said it is not yet worried that the recent spike in COVID-19 cases will discourage the faithful from attending Masses physically.
Fr Reginald Malicdem, Manila Archdiocese vicar general, also said there is yet no plan to require the wearing of masks inside churches.
The increasing trend in COVID cases has prompted the city government of Manila to review its policy on the use of face masks both indoors and outdoors.
