22 to 26 die a day at home in Cebu City due to suspected COVID-19

CEBU, Philippines —   Apart from deaths in hospitals, community deaths – or suspected COVID-19 cases that are not able to get hospital intervention or at least declared dead on arrival or die at home – have nearly doubled in Cebu City in just a matter of about two weeks.

Also, Cebu City has breached the 1,000-mark in COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to Emergency Operations Center deputy chief implementer, City Councilor Joel Garganera.

“We’ve breached the 1,000 mortality (mark) since the start of the pandemic. From the very start, 1,038 na ang nangamatay sa COVID (in Cebu City),” Garganera told reporters yesterday, August 8, 2021.

“Out of the 32,634 that got positive (since the start of pandemic), we got around 3.18% sa matag usa ka gatos kabuok nga magka-COVID nga mamatay. Karong buwan sa Agosto, example, karong adlawa (August 8), aduna kitay 356 kabuok positive, and 12 kabuok ang nangamatay – that’s 4%,” he added.

Garganera’s figures were based on the official tally of health authorities.

But there are also so-called “community deaths” – deaths that happen outside of hospital intervention that are suspected to be COVID-related, though still subject to confirmation.

“On top of that (confirmed COVID deaths), normally we have 10 community deaths a day apil, na diha ang DOA (dead on arrival at hospitals). But last week of July, niabot og 15 to 20 kabuok namatay sa community. Unya sa pagsud pa gyud sa August, we are now experiencing 22 to 26 deaths sa community,” said Garganera.

IATF Visayas and EOC are forming a team to investigate these community deaths. Its tasks will include, among others, verbal autopsy or post-medical examination to check if these deaths are indeed COVID-19-related.

Garganera said they are not discounting such possibility considering that the prevalence of infections in the city is very widespread.

“COVID is now everywhere. Spread out kaayo atong kaso,” he said.

Based on cluster clinic reports, Cebu City registered a positivity rate of 75% during the first week of August. This means that three in every four individuals checked turn out positive.

As for those who have been contact-traced and tested, 26% or nearly three in every 10 persons turn out to be positive for the virus.

As of this writing, seven of the city’s 15 hospitals are now on a “critical level” in terms of utilization rate.

The Cebu City Quarantine Center, a Level 2, 216-bed facility at the reclamation area, is also now operating at full capacity.

Running low on ventilators

Hospitals in the city are also running low on mechanical ventilators, machines that help patients breathe.

“Hurot-Hurot na gyud og gamit ang mga mechanical ventilators sa mga hospitals, both government and private-owned hospitals,” said Councilor David Tumulak of Task Force COVID-19.

Tumulak said the city is still awaiting the national government’s response to their request for mechanical ventilators and other essential equipment to help patients in critical condition.

He is also hoping that the national government will help the city secure medicines for COVID-19 treatment as hospitals are also running out of supplies.

More tombs

Meanwhile, the Cebu City government is seeking approval from the Archdiocese of Cebu for the possible construction of tombs in four Catholic cemeteries located in Calamba, Cabantan in Barrio Luz, Talamban, and Carreta.

These cemeteries are owned and managed by the archdiocese.

“Ang city government is planning to construct in these four, hoping that the Archdiocese of Cebu will grant our request to serve the bereaved families of these COVID victims,” said Tumulak.

“To be specific, this is not just for COVID. Kay ang atoang mga sementeryo karon, didto man gipanglubong ang ubang mga COVID. This is a support sa atoang mga cemeteries that we can give a decent burial sa atoang mga COVID victims,” he added.

Tumulak said the city will only request 140 square meters with four structures in every cemetery. Each structure will accommodate 60 slots, which means 240 slots will be available in every cemetery.

Archbishop Jose Palma, for his part, said he is just waiting for the letter-request from the Cebu City government.

Palma said a formal request is needed since matters concerning land use must go through the board for appropriate action.

Nevertheless, the archbishop assured that the Church is ready and open to help in government projects, especially for the people.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, who was tasked to supervise the construction of these tombs, said they have cleared the sites with personnel from the engineering department on standby in case the archdiocese gives the go signal.

Acting Mayor Michael Rama also said he already talked to City Adminsitrator Floro Casas Jr. regarding the matter.

“I already directed City Administrator Jun (Floro) Casas and we already have interacted on this matter. Materials, if ever it will be required, we have it in the city government. Manpower, if ever it will be required, we also have it from the city government,” said Rama. — with Rowena D. Capistrano and Ruth R. Malinao, JMD (FREEMAN)