Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 2) — While the healthcare utilization rate remains low, hospitals in the Philippines are already feeling the rise in new COVID-19 infections, treatment czar Leopoldo Vega said Monday.
Vega, who is a health undersecretary, added the bed occupancy rate has been "steadily increasing" compared to the situation two weeks ago.
"However, the total healthcare utilization rate is still low but already approaching moderate risk, especially on intensive care units," he told CNN Philippines' New Day.
Based on the DOH monitoring bulletin, a hospital is considered at moderate risk if its utilization rate is from 60% to less than 70%. A high-risk classification means the occupancy rate is between 70% to less than 85%, while a locality is at a critical level if its occupancy rate is 85% and above.
On Sunday, the Philippines recorded 8,735 new cases—the third consecutive day to hit the 8,000 mark.
Active cases also reached 63,646, the highest since May 7, the DOH said.
Imposing a hard lockdown in Metro Manila and in other parts of the country with high numbers of new infections is imperative to ease pressure on hospitals amid the threat of the Delta variant, Vega said.
"If we are not going to limit mobility, there might be possible surge and it can possibly overwhelm hospitals," he said.
The National Capital Region will be put under enhanced community quarantine starting August 6 to 20. The two-week period will be used to inoculate more Filipinos, Vega said.
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