The city now has 332 beds to accommodate suspected COVID-19 patients.
Mayor Sara Duterte, in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio, said that she is preparing two more facilities to cater to patients, bringing the total to seven PUI facilities in the city. PUI refers to the person under investigation.
“We have been preparing for these centers but we are only using (centers) A, B, and C,” she said.
However, the city’s aim is not to use all the 332 prepared beds. With the Enhanced Community Quarantine, Duterte hopes that the cases will not escalate anymore.
“I am hoping that we can prevent any more cases of COVID-19 in the city. That is why it is so important that people should always follow the protocols set for us to be successful in this fight,” she said.
Currently, the city has utilized three PUI centers, with a total of 110 beds allotted for PUI patients. Center A has 30 beds available, Center B with 23 beds, and Center C with 57 beds.
As of April 7, 8 a.m., there are 86 PUIs recorded in the city. Center A has four patients admitted, and Center B with 17. The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is also sheltering 65 PUIs in its facilities.
“We have been preparing for this (centers A to G), but we are only using (centers) A, B, and C. We have been preparing and working our best for us not to use all the 332 beds,” she said.
She said out of the 86 PUIs only 20 individuals tested positive for COVID-19.
“Some might be wondering why are there only 20 patients positive of COVID-19 out of the 86 (PUIs). This is because others are still waiting for their results whether they are positive or not,” Duterte said.
On April 6, Duterte said there is one COVID-19 positive died due to the disease, bringing the total to 12 fatalities in the entire region.
“We would like to extend our sympathy to one of the patients who expired in SPMC. It is a very sad day because (these) people (infected) has comorbidities and they are already old. It might be that because of how strong the virus is, they no longer have enough strength to be able to fight back against the disease,” Duterte said.
The city mayor has always reminded the public to take precautionary measures, especially that the city now has cases of local transmission. (With Warren Elijah Valdez)
