Davao City – The Department of Health (DOH XI) reports that it is increasing the required allocation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) beds of two (2) government hospitals in Region XI to 30% to 50% to prepare for a sudden surge of COVID-19 after the easing of community quarantine measures in all Davao region provinces.
This is after DOH Department Memorandum No. 2020-0337 issued by Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega required specific government hospitals in the region to increase their respective bed capacities due to an increase in the reported utilization rate of 30%-70% in the Davao Region which is categorized to fall under the warning zone.
The DOH XI Regional Director Annabelle Yumang stated how the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) are gradually increasing their respective bed capacities to prepare for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases in the region.
“The SPMC and DRMC are already starting to increase their bed capacities per week in preparation for the surge of patients,” Yumang said.
As of yesterday, the DOH XI reported that there is a total of 397 active cases in Region XI which brings the total number of cumulative cases to 1,939 in the Davao region.
Yumang cited how this increase in COVID-19 bed allocations for government hospitals is no cause for panic since it is a precautionary step to help in preventing any difficulties that may arise if a surge in COVID-19 cases may occur in Region XI.
“The meaning of this warning sign … is that the hospitals need to have a concrete plan in the event of any surge in [COVID-19] cases,” Yumang added. (PIA XI/KPLCaro)
