The hard fight against the pandemic got harder, as two of the country's major hospitals just declared having reached full capacity in terms of COVID-19 facilities.
St. Luke's Medical Center and Makati Medical Center announced on Monday can no longer admit suspected and confirmed coronavirus patients due to the lack of beds and staff in their respective intensive care units.
For its part, St. Luke's made an appeal to the public to "consider bringing critically ill COVID-19 suspects to alternative hospitals so that they will receive immediate and utmost care." The management also reminded people to "avoid complacency and strictly adhere to health protocols and preventive measures."
In a letter to patients, Medical Director Saturnino Javier shared that Makati Med had to "augment its physical and manpower resources to accommodate more patients, hire new recruits, and closed some areas to supplement workforce in other vital units" to manage the spike in coronavirus infections.
Still, MMC reached its threshold and the COVID-19 zones — regular wards, critical care units, and emergency rooms — ended up being full. The facility assured that it will "exert every effort to find you another healthcare facility of your choice (or ours)."
Both hospitals will continue accepting treatment of non-COVID-19 patients and outpatient procedures.
As of writing, the Philippines has recorded a total of 57,006 cases (836 new), 20,371 recoveries, and 1,599 deaths.
