‘Enough’ COVID beds in 16 Capitol hospitals

CEBU, Philippines —  The 12 district and four provincial hospitals managed by the Cebu provincial government have more than enough beds to cater to coronavirus patients.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said occupancy for beds reserved for COVID-19 patients remains below 50 percent.

Of the 16 hospitals, only 33 beds out of the 130 allocated for patients manifesting influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infection are in use as of Monday, June 22.

This puts the occupancy rate to 25 percent, leaving 97 beds or 74 percent vacant.

Garcia, in her virtual press conference yesterday, presented this data in her virtual presser aired on Sugbo News.

She also included the 46 percent general occupancy rate of the total beds between the province’s 16 hospitals.

In total, the province has an authorized bed capacity of 470 but its current implementing capacity is at 788. Of this, there are a total of 363 inpatient admissions leaving 433 beds vacant considering the implementing capacity.

‘TUOB’

Meanwhile, during her presser the day before, Garcia was joined by Dr. Dale Pasco who is reportedly pioneering a study in Cebu on the effects of steam inhalation in the alleviation of COVID-19 symptoms.

Pasco stood by steam inhalation or what is known in Cebu as ‘tuob’ by saying steam from boiling water raises temperature and humidity, eradicating the virus.

This is despite criticisms online which say that through the steam from tuob, the virus could be aerosolized, expediting and widening the spread of infection.

"Two characteristics mamatay ang virus, temperature of 27 degrees centigrade and humidity of more than 40 percent. Which makita nato sa mga pasyenteng nagtuob, nganong maulian," he said citing a US study.

"Ang steam, inig sulod sa imong ilong ug baba, iyaha nang limpyohan ang imong airway, patyon ang virus," he added.

Pasco went on to say that the heat from the steam would melt off the ‘fatty layer’ that coats the virus.

Garcia, for her part, answered social media users who are against her promotion of steam inhalation. According to her, the method at least helps out impoverished residents who could not afford hospitalization and medication.

"Are there enough beds? Are there enough medical personnel and is there enough money," she said.

"Unsa pa may ilang ibayad sa doctor’s fees. Wala di makaya kay perteng lisora gyud. So, ako, ayaw mo kasuko nako. Di man lang mga dato nipili nako. Mas daghan man ang pobre," she said.  KQD (FREEMAN)