One of the indexes that most worries the health authorities and citizens in the midst of the pandemic is the occupation of beds in intensive care units (ICU).
In Bogotá, the alarms have not been minor. Since the pandemic began, the District has emphasized that the restriction measures in the city are aimed at reducing the risk of contagion and avoiding hospital collapse at all costs.
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For these reasons the decrease of about 5 percentage points in the ICU bed occupancy index is a relief. After being above 89 percent of its capacity, the capital of the country went to 84.2 percent, with a cut-off of August 17. Even a few weeks ago it was 93 percent.
And while the significant reduction does not mean that the peak of the pandemic is over or that the guard against self-care measures can be lowered, it does reduce the risks of collapse of these units.
According to the Saludata website, Of the 1,773 ICU beds that Bogotá has, 1,493 are occupied, of them 657 with positive patients for COVID-19 and 836 for suspects. Despite this decrease, the majority of IPS in the city are still on red alert, that is, with an occupancy of ICU beds exclusively for covid patients greater than 70 percent.
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The reduction in occupancy was also reflected in hospital beds. This index is at 80.6 percent. Of the 2,630 hospital beds available, 2,173 are occupied.
Bogotá, with cut-off to August 18, accumulates 171,312 cases of covid-19, 35 percent of the country’s infections. It should be remembered that the capital of the country continues under preventive isolation.
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In fact, seven towns (Chapinero, Usaquén, Teusaquillo, Antonio Nariño, Puente Aranda, Santa Fe and La Candelaria) are in strict quarantine until August 30. Although next Monday some of them could come out.
These measures impact contagion rates and, therefore, have contributed to the reduction of ICU occupancy. Hence the importance of its compliance.
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TIME
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