PASIG Mayor Vico Sotto sets up emergency room extensions/temporary holding areas for moderate Covid-19 cases being turned away by hospitals due to a lack of beds.
In a series of posts on Twitter on April 7, 2021, Wednesday, Mayor Vico mentioned that they will serve as extensions of emergency rooms, and will have five beds, with their own doctors, nurses, medicines, and basic equipment and supplies.
Health and safety protocols are strictly implemented.
The holding areas will be operational by Thursday afternoon, Sotto said. More beds will be added in the coming days.
"These are very difficult times...Puno ang mga ospital. Ang hirap makahanap ng bakante sa ospital, kahit sa mga kalapit nating lungsod/probinsya. Minsan hindi na makahinga ang pasyente, pero higit sa 2, 3 oras naghahanap ng mapagdadalhan ang ambulansya natin," Sotto posted using his Twitter account.
"Ito po ay isang bahagi sa tugon natin sa matinding problema. Kukulangin pa rin siguro, pero makakatulong kahit papaano: nag set up tayo ng temporary holding area na parang extension ng ER. Para po ito sa mga moderate cases na hindi pa kayang tanggapin ng mga ospital," he added.
Sotto extended his thanks to the city's health care frontliners.
"Salamat, mga healthcare frontliners, dahil hindi kayo sumusuko. Special mention to our Pasig Emergency Unit for stepping up and taking on this new task. Malayo sa ideyal ang mga pangyayari ngayon, pero kakayanin natin ito," he said.
The Philippines has been recording a high number of new daily cases since the Greater Manila Area was placed under enhanced community quarantine starting April.
On April 2, the country recorded more than 15,000 cases, a new all-time high.
Frontliner groups who called for a timeout in August 2020 said 2021's surge was worse than last year's situation, with hospitals filled to the brim, forcing patients to seek out seven to eight medical institutions before finding a slot.
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Congressman Charlie Cojuangco ties the knot with China Jocson in a simple civil ceremony on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.
The couple tied the knot in a civil ceremony held in Paniqui, Tarlac on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.
April 7 also happened to be the bride's birthday, as China's Facebook post that day read, "Most memorable birthday yet. Mr and Mrs., it is."
Their wedding took place a week earlier than its initial schedule.
They were supposed to get married on April 14, and had invited members of the Congress, the Senate, other esteemed guests, and close friends.
However, it was later announced that the celebration was deferred following health and safety restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Charlie is the youngest son of business magnate Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco.
Charlie was married to actress Rio Diaz who passed away in 2004.
For many years, Charlie had never considered remarrying until he met China.
The couple held a traditional betrothal ceremony at the Josemaria Escriva Shrine in Gerona, Tarlac last December 29, 2020.
China is a crisis management strategist and a former assistant to the presidential spokesperson.
Charlie and China both have ancestry in Tarlac.