Cebu City, Philippines ― ​Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III reassured the officials of Chong Hua Hospital (CHH), one of Cebu City’s major private facilities catering to COVID-19 patients in the region, that government facility in the area, particularly the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), is ready to help should CHH reach maximum occupancy capacity. 
 
In a meeting held earlier today, CHH officials shared with the Health Chief that it currently operates at 98% occupancy rate of its 190-COVID bed capacity. More than 50% of its patients are severe and critical. The non-COVID bed occupancy is at 25% of its 420 bed capacity. 
 
“In these difficult times, we should maximize our resources and work together to succeed against our common enemy: the COVID-19,” said Secretary Duque urging private and public hospitals like CHH and VSMMC to  work as a network of hospitals that has a definitive referral.  
 
The Department of Health recently ramped up the COVID-19 capacity of VSMMC. It has available mechanical ventilators and high-flow nasal cannula oxygen non-invasive ventilation machines used for COVID-19 case intervention.  
 
Currently operating at 40-45% occupancy rate, the VSMMC has enough capacity to aid CHH in case it needs support in ensuring COVID-19 patients in the city are well-taken care of. 
 
Secretary Duque went to Cebu City yesterday to assist Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu in assessing the COVID-19 situation in the area. The Health Chief was joined by Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, DOH-Central Visayas Center for Health Development Regional Director Jaime Bernadas and VSMMC Medical Center Chief Gerardo Aquino.