11 Metro Manila hospitals report 100% utilization of COVID-19 beds

MANILA, Philippines — At least 11 Metro Manila hospitals have reached the full capacity of their COVID-19-dedicated beds, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

In a televised press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the following hospitals have reported a 100% utilization rate of their COVID-19-dedicated ICU beds as of July 3:

-Veterans Memorial Medical Center

-UST Hospital

-University of Perpetual Help Medical Center

-Tondo Medical Center

-Seamen’s Hospital

-Philippine Children Medical Center

-Metro North Medical Center and Hospital

-Las Piñas Doctors Hospital

-De Los Santos Medical Center

-Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center

-Capitol Medical Center

Meanwhile, the Lung Center of the Philippines reported a 97% utilization, East Avenue Medical Center reported 89% while UERM reported 83%.

Vergeire explained that this is not equivalent to the entire capacity of the said hospitals as they only have a certain number of beds designated for COVID-19 patients.

“When we talk about the percentage of beds that had been occupied already, it is not equivalent to the entire capacity of the hospital. Here, we are just referring to the dedicated beds for COVID (patients),” she said.

Overall, the critical care utilization rate in Metro Manila stands at 63.41%, although higher from the nationwide average, the DOH said this level is characterized as “moderate risk,” Vergeire said.

The DOH reported on Monday 2,099 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the nationwide tally to 46,333.

Vergeire said the agency has observed an increase in new infections over the last two weeks which is attributed to the increased contact among the population as a result of the relaxation of quarantine measures.