This image, provided by the National Institute of Health on Feb. 27 and taken with a scanning electron microscope, shows the SARS-CoV-2 (yellow) virus emerging from the surface of cells (blue/pink) cultured in a lab. (AFP/National Institutes of Health/Handout)
MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila’s COVID-19 healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) increased to 35.6 percent as of July 25, according to Octa Research fellow Dr. Guido David on Wednesday.
David also said utilization of intensive care units (ICUs) for COVID-19 patients in Metro Manila rose to 28 percent.
The independent pandemic monitor associate noted that the latest percentages are higher than the HCUR and ICU utilization rate logged in the country’s capital region on July 24 which was at 31.7 percent and 27.3 percent, respectively.
David added that the HCUR of three cities in Metro Manila has reached at least 50 percent as of July 25.
Specifically, Octa Research said, Malabon City’s HCUR was at 50 percent; Muntinlupa City, 64.6 percent; and Pasig City, 56.4 percent. The group considered the cities of Muntinlupa and Pasig under moderate risk due to their above 50 percent HCURs.
As for ICU utilization rate, Octa Research said three cities in Metro Manila reached more than 50 percent – Las Piñas, Makati, and Pasig are at moderate risk for having ICU utilization rates of 60 percent, 61.5 percent, and 58.2 percent, respectively.
Malabon City, on the other hand, is at critical risk after David said that it currently has a 100 percent ICU utilization rate.
Covid-19 HCUR (healthcare utilization rate) and ICU occupancy in the NCR and cities of NCR as of July 25, 2022. HCUR in the NCR was at 35.6% while ICU occupancy was at 28%. HCUR in Muntinlupa and Pasig were at Moderate (between 50% and 70%). #COVID @dzbb pic.twitter.com/MxswGy2Oo4
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) July 27, 2022
The Department of Health previously warned that the country’s COVID-19 hospital utilization rate may increase by end of August or early September.
READ: DOH: ‘Wall of immunity’ vs COVID-19 waning, cases may peak by end-July
The country’s total confirmed coronavirus cases is 3,755,403 as of July 27, based on the DOH’s COVID-19 tracker on its website. This sum includes the 27,643 active COVID-19 cases as well as the 3,667,084 patients who survived the disease and 60,694 fatalities.
The DOH on Monday reported that 71,546,355 (91.61 percent of the target population) people in the country are now fully-vaccinated against COVID-19 while 15,934,251 of them received their booster shots.
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