AFTER nearly two months of the enhanced community quarantine, the Department of Health believes the country is now better prepared to handle another wave of cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Health experts earlier warned of another surge in COVID-19 cases in the event that the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), which will last up to May 15, is lifted in Metro Manila and other high-risk areas.
This as the DOH reported on Monday 292 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to over 11,086 in just five days when the number breached the 10,000-mark.
The DOH also reported seven new fatalities, or total of 726 deaths since February when the first fatality was reported.
The number of recovered patients continued rise, with 75 more recoveries, or a total now of 1,999.
Globally, COVID-19 has infected 3,976,043 persons in 215 countries and territories, and killed 277,708 individuals as of May 11, according to the World Health Organization. The disease first emerged in China late last year.
The DOH, in its latest COVID-19 situationer, said the current health system capacity is “adequate” in handling COVID-19 patients.
“Overall capacity to manage and admit COVID-19 patients is adequate with more than 50 percent beds and mechanical ventilators in ICU, isolation, and COVID-19 wards available,” said the DOH.
It also said there are 1,044 ward beds occupied and 1,706 ward beds available; 3,844 isolation beds occupied and 5,345 isolation beds available; 532 ICU beds occupied and 767 ICU beds available; and 431 mechanical ventilators occupied and 1,499 mechanical ventilators available.
There is also a sufficient number of personal protective equipment (PPE) in different medical facilities, it said. These include 633,995 coveralls, some 2.9 million face masks, almost 600,000 gowns, at least 158,700 face shields, about 1 million pairs of gloves, at least 108,000 aprons, 515,728 goggles, and 718,325 head caps.
As to the country’s testing capacity, the DOH noted that there are now 26 licensed COVID-19 testing laboratories across the country, with a combined daily testing capacity of 8,637.
“Early detection and isolation of new cases is critical to managing potential outbreaks, especially as the government is considering gradually lifting quarantine measures. This makes testing all the more vital,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in press conference on Monday.
She said the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon “provided us with enough time to adequately prepare and capacitate our health system in the event that we will need a higher capacity in case of another surge in cases.”
CAMP KARINGAL LOCKDOWN
Thirteen Quezon City policeman and a soldier recently tested positive for COVID-19 at the Quezon City Police District in Camp Karingal in Quezon City, prompting the lockdown of the police camp for three days starting at 5 p.m. last Saturday.
The 13 policemen, including nine commissioned officers, and the soldier-frontliner were among the 219 personnel tested in Camp Karingal from April 25 to 29.
In a statement on Monday, the QCPD said: “115 results were already released and 14 personnel tested positive for COVID-19 infection while 104 are still awaiting results.”
Ten of the 13 policemen found positive for COVID-19 are assigned in Camp Karingal while the three others are detailed with the QCPD police community precincts. The infected soldiers is assigned with the AFP’s Joint Task Force-National Capital Region.
It said the 14 have been tapped to man quarantine control points or checkpoints which were established to limit the public’s movement amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
FILIPINOS ABROAD
The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday reported 17 new COVID-19 cases among overseas Filipinos in 46 countries, and seven new deaths.
This after no new cases of infection or deaths were reported on Sunday.
“Figures today show that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad is now 2,195 with 17 new confirmed cases, two new recoveries and seven new deaths recorded from the Americas, Europe and the Middle East,” the DFA said.
“Based on the reports received today, Europe and the Middle East remains as the hot spots of confirmed cases among our nationals abroad,” it added.
Of the 2,195 Filipinos in 46 countries who were infected with the virus, the DFA said 1,291 are still undergoing treatment while 644 have recovered.
The seven new deaths brought the number of overseas Filipinos who succumbed to the virus at 260.
Ambassador to Australia Hellen Barber de La Vega said 37 of 38 Filipino shipping crewmen who tested positive of COVID-19 in Australia have recovered and have been cleared to travel back to the Philippines.
De La Vega provided the update at Monday’s “Laging Handa” public briefing, adding that the last batch of eight seafarers are just waiting for their schedule to fly home.
Overall, Australia recorded 6,941 positive cases of the novel corona virus. Of these, 6,163 made full recovery while 97 died.
De La Vega said the Filipino crewmen caught the coronavirus while on board and were intercepted before going onshore.
“We had 38 cases of Filipinos who tested positive for COVID-19 but none of these was categorized as onshore. This means they did not get sick here Australia. But the good news is that 37 have been cleared,” she said.
De La Vega said the infection has been suppressed in Australia and credited the quick action of the government there in responding to the threat of the pandemic even before the first case was recorded in the country.
“Australia was one of the first to put up stringent measures, including mandatory social and physical distancing. But even before this COVID-19 pandemic, the country already enforces a higher degree of health standards, quarantine and even bio-security measures,” she said.
She praised the discipline and compliance of Australians to health protocols whether at the state or federal level.
She said, the practices implemented by the Australian government may be duplicated in the Philippines and could help the country control the spread of the virus in the population.
“I think the most important factor here is the obedience and discipline the people in complying with regulations,” De La Vega said.
With the virus beaten back, she said, the Australian government is already implementing the first of a three-phased approach in restoring normalcy in society and the economy.
“The first step is focused on reopening the economy and giving opportunities to return to work and social activities. Step two is to allow gathering of more people and allowing other businesses to resume operations including entertainment venues, galleries and movie houses,” she said.
Step three is the transition to COVID-safe ways of living and working and potentially allowing bigger crowds of up to 100 people to gather.
Even so, De La Vega emphasized that restrictions on international travel and mass gatherings will remain in effect while physical distancing measures will be adopted in the workplace and other areas.
Classes in public schools are also scheduled to open by June 2, 2020 for all levels. — With Victor Reyes, Ashzel Hachero and Peter Tabingo
