Isko Mayor Isko Moreno is shown being updated by MDSW chief Re Fugoso on the status of the SAP distribution in Manila. Photo by JERRY S. TAN

Isko: Manila braces for worst COVID scenario

August 12, 2021 Itchie G. Cabayan 731 views

THE city of Manila has ordered an additional 500 oxygen tanks on top of the 750 now in stock, to ensure that the hospitals being run by the local government will be ready for the worst scenario, as the Manila COVID-19 Field Hospital (MCFH) is now 94 percent full.

In his live broadcast, Moreno cited a report from MCFH Director Dr. Arlene Dominguez saying 323 out of the 344 beds there are now occupied, meaning only 11beds remain available as of Wednesday night.

“Sa mga frontliners, doctors at nurses, alam ko, nabubulunan na kayo. Salamat at sa Maynila ay nakapagtatag tayo nang mabilisan ng 7th hospital na ngayon ay 94 percent nang puno. Patuloy ang paglago ng kaso, malapit nang mapuno ngunit sa kabilang banda, siya namang nabawasan ang mga pasyente sa ating mga ospital at nabigyan ng sapat na atensyon ang mga moderate, severe and critical so napagaan ang trabaho ng mga nurses and doctors dala nang na-segregate ‘yung lebel ng impeksyon,” Moreno said.

Moreno said the city also purchased Remdesivir and Tocilizumab which are known to save lives of COVID patients who are in critical or severe condition.

The mayor said there are lessons to be learned from what happened to India, Malaysia and Indonesia where shortage of oxygen tanks became a problem and caused loss of many lives.

These are in addition to the high-end machines and other medical equipment bought by the city and which arrived three weeks ago.

Moreno said the total COVID bed capacity of the six city-owned hospitals is now at 47 percent while the occupancy rate in the quarantine facilities is 20 percent.

Meanwhile, Moreno commended the Manila Social Welfare Department headed by Re Fugoso for the successful, orderly, efficient and swift distribution of the financial aid from the national government under the social amelioration program.

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