Lawmaker appeals for more ICUs in Albay amid ‘big wave’ of COVID-19 infections
ALBAY Representative Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda has asked the government to provide more intensive care units (ICUs) and other healthcare support to his province as it faces its most severe wave of coronavirus infections.
In a memorandum addressed to President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the solon alerted the national task force handling the coronavirus response on Albay’s situation.
In a news release on Monday, Mr. Salceda said Albay has recorded an infection rate of 1.54, which means that every one new positive case infects 1.5 others, “and we see this trend moving upward as daily cases continue to see levels higher than past waves.”
“While most cases remain mild or asymptomatic, we are alarmed as 100% of all (ICUs) for severe COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases are already in use. Some 64.4% or around two-thirds of COVID-19 ward beds are also already occupied,” he added.
Mr. Salceda noted that Albay’s medical facilities also serve those from nearby provinces within the Bicol Region.
“The whole of Bicol is experiencing a surge in cases. Any assistance extended to the hospitals of Albay, particularly the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, is assistance extended to the entire region,” he said.
As of May 30, the region had 3,862 active cases with 701 in Albay. Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Bicol had a total 12,101 COVID-19 cases with 7,835 recoveries and 404 deaths. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago
