BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental’s primary treatment facility for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the Cadiz District Hospital remains “normal” despite a slight surge in cases, according to Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz.
As of Aug. 2, the province recorded 15 new COVID-19 cases, bringing its total active cases to 102.
At present, Diaz said, Cadiz District Hospital has 30 beds with COVID-19 cases; 15 confirmed and 16 suspected.
“Ang 16 have symptoms pero ginahulat pa nila ang result sang ila (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test,” Diaz said.
The COVID-19 treatment facility is at the annex building separate from the main hospital building where all other non-COVID patients are receiving treatment.
Diaz said they can easily increase the number of COVID-beds at the annex building if necessary as it has three levels.
At present only the ground floor of the annex building is occupied; the two upper levels are “on standby.”
When asked if the 102 active cases is just the “tip of the iceberg”,” Diaz said the “real barometer” is checking COVID-patients who really need hospitalization.
Some patients no longer require hospitalization.
“Regardless if this is the tip of the iceberg or not, ang aton nga healthcare system wala pa gyapon gina pressure,” Diaz said.
Diaz also likened the new strain of the COVID-19 to a “regular influenza” wherein infected patients may develop symptoms such as sore throat and a three-day long fever after which they recover.
“May iban nga gakapatay man sa influenza, pero laban-laban kaya ta gid ya ang influenza, so subong ang symptoms are not bad. O ir constituents in Negros Occidental can manage,” he added./PN
