Leptospirosis cases have climbed to 1,963 and 148 deaths, representing an increase of 73 cases from yesterday’s report. But the figure actually signifies a huge decline in the trend following the deluge brought by tropical storm “Ondoy,” health officials said.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III explained that the daily average of leptospirosis began to
peak last Oct. 13. From 361 on Oct. 13, the cases rose to 645 on Oct. 14 and to 1,000 the next day, Oct. 15.

But the plunge can be seen from Oct. 17 to 19, when there was only an increase of 171 cases. Comparing Oct. 20 data with Oct. 19, there were only 51 cases admitted.

“It reached a peak within three to four days then it dipped,” Duque described the Leptospirosis trend at a conference in the Department of Health (DoH) compound in Tayuman, Manila yesterday.

The reports were gathered in 15 hospitals in Metro Manila including Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Manila Doctors Medical Center, The Medical City, Rizal Medical Center and San Lazaro Hospital, among others.

But the health chief warned that the numbers could shoot up again with the coming of typhoon Ramil.

“We foresee typhoon Ramil as we have gathered from the news, it will cause more rains to come. There will be more flooded communities and this would mean more people affected. There might again be a surge to higher numbers,” Duque said.

Five private hospitals yesterday signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the DoH signifying their commitment in treating leptospirosis patients that public hospitals can no longer accommodate.

These hospitals include Capitol Medical Center in Quezon City, Manila Central University – F. D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation Hospital in Caloocan City, Manila Doctor’s Hospital, Los Banos Doctors Hospital and the Medical City.

Seven other hospitals are expected to sign a MOA with the DoH including St. Luke’s Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center and Dr. Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital among others.

“But patients cannot just go to these private hospitals because only those that will be referred by DoH hospitals due to congestion will be accommodated by our pre-identified referral private facilities,” Duque explained.

Philhealth will cover the hospitalization expenses of members who will be referred to private hospitals.

The DoH will cover P5, 000 worth of hospital expenses to indigent patients without Philhealth cards with uncomplicated cases of leptospirosis while P20,000 will be allocated to complicated cases of leptospirosis.