Two biggest professional group of doctors in Negros Oriental have separately calledon local authorities to revert the province to enhanced community quarantine following spikes of new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections attributed to the publics’ leniency in adhering to minimum health protocols.
The Negros Oriental Medical Society (NOMS) headed by Dr. Jovencion Occeña made the first appeal citing a “100-fold rise” of infections compared to last year.
“We call for an ECQ. We call for a lockdown. Call it whatever you will,” NOMS statement said.
The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Negros Oriental Chapter headed by Dr. Gideon Caballes made the same appeal based on “reported heights” in positive cases on May 21, 2021 with 204 new reported cases, the highest so far in the province.
Dr. Occeña said the society of doctors said Covid is not yet under control. “We are losing the fi ght,” it reads. “What is being done, is just not enough.”
The NOMS have observed a “rapid rise” of cases more than the hospitals can handle, resulting in the loss of “precious lives.” There are many critical ill and not enough resources, NOMS added.
“Please, people of Negros Oriental, do something!” appealed the doctors. “Stop parties. Stop gatherings. Don’t socialize. Wear Mask. Give us curfews. Give us time to rest!”
NOMS president Dr. Jovencio Occena in a separate interview, appealed to the public that continuing neglect of health protocols would lead to the “collapse” of the healthcare system. “The end of the healthcare will be the end of the society.”
In a statement, Philippine Collage of Physicians Negros Oriental highlighted saturation of moderate and severe Covid-19 cases in hospitals, with dwindling supplies, medication, and equipment for patients.
“Long waitlist of patients wanting to get admitted yet due to our limited beds, cannot be accommodated anymore,” the statement said.
The statement explained that aside from hospital bed capacity nearing 100 percent, the daily attack rate is currently at 8.12, way over its critical level of only more than seven. “All of which are qualifiers for the call of a higher form of quarantine.”
“We are asking for our government to take action on a faster rollout of vaccinations, a better implementation of curfews and discipline,” the statement said. “We are calling on our local businesses to enforce stricter quarantine rules and have a heightened sense of social responsibility.”
The PC doctors urge unity in the battle against Covid-19 by listening to each other while the “healthcare system is screaming” for help. (By Ryan Sorote)