SECOND COVID SURGE LOOMS: 193 positive patients remain waitlisted in Iloilo City hospitals

A call center agent from Iloilo province passed away on May 31, 2021 while awaiting medical treatment in the emergency room of a hospital in Iloilo City.

The incident was reported by Mayor Jerry P. Treñas himself on Monday as he sounded alarm on a second surge in COVID-19 cases in Iloilo City.

The Iloilo City government noted that the call center agent died due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease but also tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the mayor, the call center agent had to go to several hospitals but was denied admission due to the lack of COVID-19 beds.

“I condole with the family of a call center agent who was working from home who passed away in the emergency room of one of the hospitals in Iloilo City. While the call center agent is from one of the municipalities in Iloilo Province, I am very sad that the agent had to go to several hospitals but cannot be admitted due to lack of available COVID bed capacity. The second wave is strong and it is real. The hospitals are full and it is real!” he said.

Hospital beds and quarantine facilities in the city are running out due to the surge in cases.

Nurses, caregivers, and medical personnel are also lacking as cases overwhelm hospitals in the city.

From May 26 to May 30, the city has recorded more than 100 cases per day with the daily average rate now at 96 cases in May 2021.

As of May 30, active cases in the city climbed to 1,403.

Meanwhile, 207 positive patients are admitted to city hospitals apart from 99 suspected COVID-19 patients.

The mayor also sounded alarm on the 193 patients who remain waitlisted as city hospitals decry lack of bed facilities and medical staff.

“The reports show that there are 193 positive patients currently being waitlisted in the hospitals. The situation is really difficult. Please stay at home especially for those over 65 years old and below 18 years old, and continue to observe the minimum health protocols.”

Currently, Iloilo City has 1,632 cases or a 390 percent spike against 334 cases in April.

 

PRO-6 HELP

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 led by Brigadier General Rolando F. Miranda heeded the request of the Regional Task Force (RTF) COVID-19 to deploy its medical personnel to help Iloilo City in its vaccination rollout.

On Monday, Treñas, Miranda, Office of Civil Defense-6 Regional Director Jose Roberto R. Nuñez, and Department of Interior and Local Government Regional Director Juan Jovian E. Ingeniero led the deployment of 12 medical nurses and a medical doctor from the Regional Health Unit 6 and other PRO-6 units.

Miranda said these personnel will assist in the vaccination rollout of Iloilo City.

“The orders were issued earlier because we have foreseen the need,” Miranda said, citing that they have issued detail orders immediately after receiving the task force’s request.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Vincent C. Cavan, medical doctor and the assistant chief of the Regional Health Unit 6, the effectivity date of the detail is May 31, 2021, but the order was dated May 4, 2021.

On Monday afternoon, PRO-6 joined the Regional Task Force (RTF) COVID-19’s orientation, signing of memorandum of understanding, and send-off of medical practitioners of the uniformed personnel at Smallville 21 Annex Building in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. (ERS)