East Avenue Medical Center's COVID-19 admission hits 'critical level': spokesperson

The East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City has reached a "critical level" in the admission of patients with the novel coronavirus disease, a spokesperson said Friday.

Some 90 percent of the public hospital's COVID-19 beds are currently occupied, said EAMC spokesperson Dr. Dennis Ordoña.

The hospital is converting some of its wards for the use of COVID-19 patients. However, authorities expect these additional facilities to be filled up in just a week, he said.

"Masasabi po namin na critical level ang dami po ng pasyente," Ordoña said.

The hospital cannot convert all of its facilities into COVID-19 wards because it has some 300 patients who have other illnesses, he said.

The EAMC is trying to refer coronavirus patients with mild to moderate symptoms to other hospitals, he said.

Quezon City as of Thursday has the second highest COVID-19 tally in the country, next to Cebu City, with 4,644 cases. This includes 2,502 patients who recovered, and 193 who died, according to health department's website.

Watch the doctor's full interview here.

TeleRadyo, July 17, 2020