The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Spokesperson Dr. Jonas Del Rosario on Wednesday confirmed that there are 8 children including a newborn are admitted to the PGH due to COVID-19.
In an interview, Dr. Del Rosario said that some of them are now getting sicker and most have severe pneumonia. Two (2) out of eight child COVID-19 patients are moderate, three (3) children are intubated and the other three need some oxygen support. According to PGH, they may have contracted the virus from adult around them at home.
The PGH will be increasing their Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed capacity because currently these beds are occupied by the eight children with COVID-19. Aside from this, the PGH also seeing more children with the said virus will be admitted at the hospital because of the increasing number of cases in Metro Manila.
Del Rosario also said that adding some of the cases have underlying comorbidities and are more vulnerable to the virus. The Spokesperson added that those patients who are waiting to be admitted to PGH from other hospital, there are about five listed. But, there are those who are still at home and about 10 people severely ill must be admitted to the ICU.
In relation to this, ICU for adult COVID-19 patients reached 90% capacity. The remaining 5 beds are not enough for patients waiting to be accommodated. Del Rosario also disclosed that 86% of the 154 patients with COVID-19 at the PGH are unvaccinated. 11% received their first dose and 3% are fully vaccinated.
Health authorities continue to remind the people to get vaccinated especially now that there are local transmission of the Delta variant. Study showed that the complete doses of the vaccines will help to combat COVID-19, as well as its variants. Everyone is also reminded to stay at home, especially children and infants to avoid infection with COVID-19.