Manila hospital ER peaks 300% capacity amid leptospirosis surge

The Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center (OMMC) announced on Wednesday that its emergency room has reached 300% capacity due to patients with suspected and confirmed leptospirosis cases.

Hospital officials said the facility has been operating beyond capacity for the past two days.

OMMC is the third public hospital in Metro Manila to declare full capacity this week.

Patients needing urgent care were advised to remain patient, with assurance of treatment or transfer to nearby hospitals.

“Pinaalalahanan ang mga pasyente na nangangailangan ng emergency care na habaan ang pasensya ngunit mabibigyan din ng tamang atensyon o mailipat namin sa ibang pinakamalapit na ospital na may kakayahang pang tumanggap ng karagdagang pasyente,” OMMC said.

The rise in cases followed weeks of heavy rains and flooding caused by the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng.

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) was the first to declare full bed capacity on August 23, and they limited walk-in admissions to prioritize emergency patients.

San Lazaro Hospital reported on August 24 that its emergency room was operating at 300 percent to 500 percent capacity.

By August 25, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that all 120 beds in San Lazaro Hospital for leptospirosis patients were fully occupied.

Both NKTI and San Lazaro Hospital said they expect patient numbers to continue rising.

The DOH reported 4,285 leptospirosis cases nationwide as of August 22, an increase of 845 cases from August 8.

This figure reflects a nearly 25% rise in infections within two weeks.