Metro Manila healthcare utilization rate rises to 36.5%, 2 regions above 50%

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MANILA, Philippines — The healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) for COVID-19 rose in Metro Manila to 36.5 percent as of July 31, said Octa Research fellow Dr. Guido David on Tuesday.

According to David, Metro Manila’s HCUR increased compared to July 24’s 31.7 percent. Intensive care unit (ICU) utilization, however, decreased from 27.3 percent to 26.9 percent in the same time period.

Meanwhile, the data also showed that two other areas have HCUR above 50 percent, namely, Bohol at 59.5 percent (from July 24’s 57.7) and the province of Iloilo at 56.1 percent (from July 24’s 52.4).

Other regions — Batangas, Capiz, Cavite, Cebu, Cebu City, Iloilo, Laguna, Olongapo and Rizal — also recorded an increase in HCUR but remained below 50 percent.

In terms of ICU utilzation rate in other areas, only Capiz recorded a rate above 50 percent, jumping to 71.4 percent on July 31 from July 24’s 42.9 percent.

HCUR (healthcare utilization) and ICU occupancy for Covid in select provinces and HUCs in the PH as of July 31. In the NCR, HCUR went up to 36.5% but still below 50%. In Capiz, ICU occupancy rose above 70%. In Iloilo and Bohol, HCUR remained above 50%. #COVID19 @dzbb @DZAR1026 pic.twitter.com/i8Eg2LKrKZ

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) August 2, 2022

It can be recalled that the Department of Health (DOH) previously warned that HCUR for COVID-19 may increase by end of August or early September.

As of August 1, the country’s total caseload to 3,780,178 nationwide, with 34,268 active cases, 3,685,173 recoveries and 60,737 deaths, based on the DOH’s COVID-19 tracker on its website.

Based on data released by the DOH on Monday, fully-vaccinated individuals are now at 71,700,612 (91.81 percent of target population) while individuals with booster shots total 16,215,466.

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