Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso discouraged coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) positive patients who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms from rushing to hospitals.

In his Facebook live update on Tuesday evening, Domagoso made the appeal following reports that hospitals, especially in Metro Manila, have reached critical or full capacity.

“Kung me espasyo sa inyong bahay, kayo ay manatili sa isang isolation area sa inyong bahay. For now, gusto ko lang na tayo ay matuto na huwag tumakbo agad sa mga ospital ng hindi kayo ma-expose o mahirapan pa lalo (If you have space in your home, stay in isolation inside your home. For now, we have to learn not to rush to the hospital to avoid further exposure),” he said.

In case there is really no space where a Covid-19 patient can isolate at home, he encouraged them to go to the different quarantine facilities in Manila.

Domagoso said doctors and medical professionals are also assigned to quarantine facilities.

Patients should only be brought to the hospital if their condition worsens, as recommended by medical professional groups.

As of April 7, data from the City of Manila showed that the occupancy rate in its six district hospitals was at 67 percent.

This means that 351 out of the 523 Covid-19 beds are occupied.

The city’s six district hospitals are the Ospital ng Maynila, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Judge Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, Gat Andres Bonifacio, Ospital ng Tondo, and Sta. Ana Hospital.

Meanwhile, the occupancy rate in the city’s 14 quarantine facilities is at 54 percent, with 470 out of 870 beds occupied.

“That is a sign of good news, na maraming nag-su-survive but sad to say, may mga namamatay (that many survive but sad to say, there are those who die),” Domagoso said.

He urged the public to continue observing the imposed minimum health and safety protocols, such as the wearing of face masks and face shields, frequent hand sanitation, and physical distancing at all times, even for those already vaccinated. (PNA)