Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) — The government will begin relocating from hospitals admitted COVID-19 patients who are asymptomatic or only experiencing mild symptoms in a bid to decongest overwhelmed health facilities, the Health Department said on Monday.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said these patients will be moved to quarantine facilities, such as hotels or isolation centers. Even healthcare workers infected by the virus who are showing mild to no symptoms will be taken out. Patients cannot choose where they will be transferred, but the official assured the spaces will be comfortable.
She said roughly 400 patients who don’t need critical care are currently using up COVID-19 hospital beds, which have become scarce amid the ongoing spike in cases in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. She added this move will free up at least 40% of beds allocated for COVID-19 patients.
“Kapag tinignan ang census natin sa ospital, kapag matanggal ang mild at asymptomatic, luluwag ang ating mga ospital at magkakaroon ng enough space for patients who really need hospitals the most,” she said in a virtual media briefing.
[Translation: If you look at the census in hospitals, removing mild and asymptomatic patients will free up space for patients who need hospitals the most.]
The extraction of these COVID-19 patients is just one of the many new plans executed by the government as hospitals continue to be filled to the brim with patients. This week, the national government is implementing triaging in all Metro Manila cities and municipality; this aims to prevent all those experiencing flu-like symptoms from rushing to hospitals. It will serve as the “midway” point where local health officials can assess if a person needs to go to a quarantine center or be brought to the hospital. Additional tents will also be placed in some hospitals to serve as an extension to accommodate more patients.
