JJASGH prepares to reopen after holiday COVID-19 surge

The Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital (JJASGH) in Manila is preparing to resume patient admissions after a temporary closure on Saturday, Jan. 1, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases during the holidays.

JJASGH Director Dr. Merle Sacdalan-Faustino clarified that meetings are being held on the most efficient ways to accommodate the increasing volume of COVID-19 patients and hospital staff who have contracted the virus.

The hospital is undergoing cleaning and disinfection of its facilities, as well as transferring pregnant women and their babies to quarantine facilities, according to the Manila City Public Information Office (PIO).

This announcement by the JJASGH contradicts a statement made by the Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday, Jan. 2, which said the hospital would open within the day, only needing time to transfer mild COVID-19 cases to quarantine facilities.

The hospital's announcement on Saturday stated that the number of COVID-19 cases had exceeded the number of available beds in the facility.

This development comes as OCTA Research reported a rise in COVID-19 bed occupancy in the National Capital Region to 41% by the end of last year.