Iloilo opens critical care unit as cases surge

Iloilo province is set to open a critical care unit this August to address the surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly among senior citizens.

The Iloilo Provincial Hospital will receive essential equipment like high flow oxygen machines and hire additional personnel for the new unit, which will handle serious but not critically ill patients.

Iloilo City has added 1,500 more quarantine beds to ease the burden on its hospitals, where ICU occupancy rates are nearly full, prompting an enhanced community quarantine status.

The city is also preparing to vaccinate residents aged 12 to 17 with parental consent.