Oxygen depletes as COVID surges in Zambo

 By Myra Cel L. Espinosa

 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct 7 (PIA) – The Private Hospital Association–Zamboanga City Chapter and Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC) recently appealed to the public to strictly comply safety and health standards as hospitals in the city face shortage of oxygen supply and on full bed capacity due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in the city.

ZCMC Chief Dr. Afdal Kunting said the cases now are different than before, “El COVID situation di aton ahora mas grabe contra antes, mas manada gente ta enferma, mas grabe di ila situacion,” he emphasized.

 

(The COVID situation now is more dangerous because more people are experiencing severe symptoms and have more serious situation.)

 

ZCMC said the hospital is admitting 30 COVID-19 positive patients every day and in response, it has opened additional wards to accommodate the surge of patients. Due to the current surge, the demand of oxygen tanks has also increased and more patients admitted needing high flow oxygen.

 

“The continuous increase in COVID-19 patients will further overwhelm the health workers and possibly compromise the services we render. We need the public's urgent cooperation to help us curb this surge,” Dr. Kunting said.

 

The city records a minimum of 100 cases per day and as of October 5, 2021, there are 2,199 active cases; 2,175 of which are from the community, 16 are APOR, while 8 are detainees. 

 

Moreover, the Local Inter-Agency Task Force (LIATF) recommends to implement Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine starting October 15-31, 2021. The LIATF will await for the approval of the National Inter-Agency Task Force. (RVC/EDT/MLE/PIA9-Zamboanga City)