Duque: Limit hospital confinements for severe COVID-19 cases

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced that hospital confinement for COVID-19 patients will be limited to severe and critical cases to avoid congestion.

Duque made this announcement amid a total of 57,006 confirmed cases in the country with 20,371 recoveries and 1,599 deaths.

The utilization rate of community isolation centers is at 25% to 30%, while Mega Ligtas Quarantine facilities for mild and asymptomatic patients are at 40% to 50%.

Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines president Dr. Rustico Jimenez noted that most mild cases refuse transfer to government isolation facilities due to fear.

Jimenez suggested transferring mild cases to isolation centers to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire confirmed there are enough beds in patient care centers for asymptomatic and mild cases, urging them not to stay in hospitals.

Vergeire stated that LGU-managed 'COVID-Ligtas' facilities have 52,223 vacant hospital beds out of a total of 70,079.