The spike of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in Eastern Visayas this holiday season may overwhelm the region’s healthcare system, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday.

Exuperia Sabalberino, DOH Eastern Visayas chief, said new cases in the region are expected to increase in the coming days due to social gatherings and overcrowding in malls, shopping centers, churches, and other public places.

The region is tagged as a moderate to high-risk area for Covid-19 by the World Health Organization, she added.

On Dec. 23 and 24, the region recorded 244 and 258 new Covid-19 cases, respectively, its highest daily tally since March, the DOH said.

However, from Dec. 25 to 28, the number dropped to 106, 46, 13, and 14, respectively, as the region’s testing laboratories have limited its operations to give its personnel enough time to spend with their families during the holidays.

To date, the region has confirmed a total of 10,886 cases, including 9,953 recoveries and 124 deaths, based on its monitoring report.

“The expected surge this holiday season is already here. We need to understand the situation to stop this and break the chain of transmission as this would overwhelm the healthcare system here,” Sabalberino said in a virtual presser on Monday.

Based on DOH data, the region has 51 public and private hospitals that cater to coronavirus patients and 29,060 beds in isolation and quarantine facilities of different towns and cities.

Sabalberino said public hospitals are required to provide at least 30 percent of their bed capacity for coronavirus patients and 20 percent for private health facilities, but the region only averages 19 percent in bed allocation in hospitals.

“This is not enough considering that in every case there are at least 10 identified close contacts that would be isolated or quarantined. That is why we have been encouraging local government units to expand and provide more beds,” she said.

Sabalberino also emphasized that the health system capacity is usually weaker in January because it’s the time when there are many admissions for other diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, among others, and training hospitals are having transition in in-training personnel, while some health workers will end their contract by the end of December.

“So, please always properly wear your face mask and shield and avoid closed settings, crowded places, close and long conversations with other people. There are many asymptomatic carriers and staying at home is still the best defense,” she added.

The regional office also reiterated its information drive dubbed “BIDA Solusyon”, which promotes four key behaviors to reduce the possible transmission of the virus.

BIDA stands for Bawal walang mask (Not wearing a face mask is not allowed); I-sanitize ang mga kamay at iwas hawak sa mga bagay (Sanitize your hands and avoid touching surfaces); Dumistansya ng isang metro (Keep a one-meter distance from other people); and Alamin ang totoong impormasyon (Know the factual information). (PNA)