KUALA LUMPUR – The national intensive care unit (ICU) bed usage has again exceeded 100%, revealed the Health Ministry, citing trends between epidemiology Week 17 and 23.
The ministry said the increase in ICU bed occupancy began during Week 17 (April 25 to May 1) up until Week 21 (May 23 to 29), similarly until Week 23 (June 6 to 12), where ICU bed usage exceeded 100%.
Despite a downward trend in Covid-19 cases during the two-week full lockdown period (June 1 to 14), ICU cases do not reflect a similar trend, it added.
“This is due to the detection of new variants, which are resulting in Categories 4 and 5 symptoms. (Category 4 requires oxygen supply, while Category 5 requires breathing aid).
“This causes more patients to require oxygen support and ventilator equipment, especially among high-risk groups, such as senior citizens and those with comorbidities.
“The fact that ICU capacity has exceeded 100% is worrying, as (it means that) not all patients requiring critical treatment can be placed in the units.”
The ministry said the high usage of beds is also due to an increased recovery period for ICU patients attributed to serious Covid-19 infection complications.
On average, the treatment period in ICUs for Category 4 patients ranges from 14 to 16 days, while Category 5 patients may require 19 to 26 days.
The ministry said it has taken the following steps to remedy this issue:
- Added 11,598 beds in hospitals, with another 31,861 beds in Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centres;
- Upgraded sick ward beds to critical Covid-19 ICU beds;
- Cooperate with training hospitals under the Higher Education Ministry, such as University of Malaya Medical Centre, Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM Hospital, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia and UKM Specialist Children’s Hospital;
- Cooperate with the armed forces by establishing field hospitals. As of now, six field hospitals have been built at Health Ministry facilities; and,
- Cooperate with 112 private hospitals, specifically in the Klang Valley, involving 1,274 beds and 128 ICU beds. – The Vibes, June 16, 2021
