BY ADRIAN P. NEMES III
The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital is no longer allowing watchers to stay with their patients after being assessed by healthcare workers for necessary surgical or medical intervention, Dr. Julius Drilon, chief of hospital, said in an advisory yesterday.
Drilon said it has been observed that, in the past two weeks, the Covid cases in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental have been increasing through community transmissions.
COMPLACENT
Evidently, the combined cases of the city and the province reached more than 200 persons per day and it is alarming that the people’s complacent behavior in the community has contributed to this situation, he said.
Drilon added that the poor observation of safety protocols and attending mass gatherings have increased the likelihood of exposure in the community.
The CLMMRH management will continue to ensure the safety of all patients and healthcare workers from unnecessary exposure to Covid, to allow faster recovery and ensure the continuation of hospital services with adequate manpower, he said.
Dr. Chris Sorongon, deputy for Data and Medical Analysis of the Emergency Operations Center, said that the One Hospital Command record showed that about 82 percent of the hospital beds intended for Covid patients in Bacolod have been occupied already due to the increase of index cases.
LOT DONATIONS
Meanwhile, Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya said that at least five lot owners in the city signified willingness to donate their properties for the establishment of a district hospital.
Gasataya said these lots are located in barangays Pahanocoy, Bata, Felisa, Mansilingan, and Estefania, adding that the creation of Bacolod’s own hospital has already been discussed in the Senate since last year.
He has submitted these areas to the Department of Health and the agency is evaluating which site is suitable for the district hospital. Gasataya added that, hopefully, the House plenary will be able to hold the second reading and deliberation on the project.*