Figure 9. Treatment Facilities per Province/HUC
Presently, there are 37 COVID-19 treatment facilities in the region where 21 (57%) facilities are government-owned and the other 16 (43%) are private facilities. Fifteen facilities are classified as Level I, three (3) as Level II and three (3) as Level III for government facilities. For private facilities, 10 were classified as Level II, and six (6) as Level III. In Western Visayas, WVMC has been identified as the main treatment center for COVID19 patients. Out of 744 beds in identified treatment facilities, only 21 percent was occupied indicating that most COVID-related cases are mild. There are 84 mechanical ventilators for exclusive use of COVID-19 patients, 60 percent of which are available in private hospitals. As of date, these facilities were not Source: DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development fully utilized since most probable, suspected, and asymptomatic cases are placed under home quarantine. However, the expected influx of LSIs and ROFs from areas with high COVID-cases like Metro Manila and Cebu in the next few months, may strain further the limited resources of the region, particularly for testing and quarantine. Also, with the onset of rainy months starting in July, the region will again be challenged by rising cases of dengue. In 2019, the DOH declared a dengue outbreak in Region VI, having the highest number of cases in the entire country. Increased volume of infectious waste and solid waste materials. It is expected that there will be increase in volume of infectious waste materials such as disposable masks from households and health care facilities due to the rising number of COVID-19 patients. Also, solid wastes from packaging materials of establishments will increase due to surge of delivery of food and other essential products/supplies. These require strict implementation of infection prevention and control (See more discussion in thematic area on environment). Lack of facilities for proper management of remains of persons with COVID or similar symptoms. There are many funeral parlors, but few crematoriums in Western Visayas. In Iloilo City there is only one crematorium, which is privately-owned and managed while Bacolod City has three private crematoriums. As a rule, remains of persons who have manifested similar symptoms, with or without confirmatory results, have to be cremated. Western Visayas COVID-19 Regional Recovery Plan Assessment of the Effect of COVID-19 in Region VI 15
