‘No Sharp Increase in COVID-19 Cases; Hospitals to Increase Capacity

Department of Health Region 7 Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas assured the public that there is no sharp increase or “spike” on the recent COVID-19 cases in Cebu City although there is an increasing number on symptomatic cases.

“Dili ni siya spike, increasing ang nakita nato, the curve remains the same,” Bernadas said.

He also added that there were some backlogs on the test specimens.

“The backlogs have been accumulated during the past two weeks prior to June 1. The past two weeks were reflective of those test specimens that were submitted earlier,” Bernadas added.

Meanwhile, Bernadas also tackled the hospitals’ bed capacity. Bernadas said that private hospitals could still expand their capacity to accept COVID-19 patients. Hospitals reduced their bed capacities for COVID-19 patients after they experienced few admissions of symptomatic cases.

Dr. Virginia Abalos of Chong Hua Hospital confirmed that private hospitals still have room for COVID-19 patients.

This was all tackled during a virtual press conference with IATF-EMD Chief Implementer Sec. Carlito Galvez; IATF-EMD Deputy Chief Implementer Sec. Vince Dizon; Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino and other government and Private Officials.

Secretary Galvez on his side, is confident that Cebu has what it takes to fight and win against the said disease.

“I believe with the collective partnership of the private sector and LGUs are one against COVID,” said Galvez. (MLC)