After battling one of the worst COVID-19 surges in the past weeks, the Philippines has logged in more than 1 million cases, becoming the 26th country in the world and second country in Southeast Asia next to Indonesia to breach the mark. As the number of coronavirus cases increased during these weeks, hospitals went back to a critical level, overwhelmed with patients.
Eliza de Ocampo, 50 years old, tested positive for COVID-19 on April 21. She was also discovered having diabetic ketoacidosis. The doctor informed her family that Eliza had to be admitted right away but their hospital was in full capacity and couldn't accommodate her. Instead, Eliza and her family were isolated at home, struggling to find a hospital as her condition worsened each day. Last April 29, Eliza succumbed to the disease.
In Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan, one of the country's public COVID-19 referral hospitals, Dr. Leslie Kimberly Lisay has been on the frontlines since the start of the pandemic. In August 2020, Dr. Lisay was diagnosed as being COVID-19 positive. After recovering, she immediately returned to work to help other COVID patients. Early this year, she was shaken by the sheer number of patients in the hospital. And in March, her worst fears happened—her entire family tested positive for COVID-19.
To decongest the hospitals, the government is set to build additional isolation and quarantine facilities. Unable to accept new patients, some private hospitals also now offer home care.
Quezon City, the country’s most populous city, recorded the most number of coronavirus infections in the country. To control the surge, contact tracing and testing programs have been intensified. The entire family of Jessica Magculang decided to help in the fight against the spread of the virus. Jessica works as barangay health emergency response team officer and an ambulance worker, in-charge of transferring COVID positive patients to isolation facilities. Meanwhile, her husband Melchor and daughter Jam are part of contact tracing and testing teams. Jessica handled the first UK variant patient in the Philippines. Experts consider their roles as crucial in fighting the virus.
The rise in COVID-19 deaths has also placed a strain on some crematoriums in Metro Manila. Some are struggling to keep up with the number of patients dying from the disease. Overall, COVID-19 has already claimed the lives of almost 18,000 Filipinos.
Last March, despite the delays, the Philippines launched vaccination campaigns. But vaccination in the country faces hurdles including public mistrust and limited supply. The government aims to vaccinate up to 70 million Filipinos by the end of the year to achieve herd immunity. More than a month since the start of the vaccination drive, just about 2 million doses have been administered with only 320,000 individuals fully vaccinated.
One year since the pandemic hit the Philippines, is the government’s response enough and effective amidst the various challenges of COVID-19?
Catch “The Atom Araullo Specials presents Habol Hininga: Isang Taon ng Pandemya,” this Sunday 1:45 p.m. on GMA Network.
Kapuso viewers abroad can catch "The Atom Araullo Specials" via GMA's flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV.
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