MANILA - Private hospitals are ready in case of another rise in number of Covid-19 cases following the national elections. In a televised public briefing, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi) president Dr. Jose Rene de Grano said Tuesday increase in Covid-19 cases is a possible effect of election-related rallies. "'Yung mga ospital naman po 'di nila sinara ang mga Covid wards, nakahanda po ang mga 'yun (The [private] hospitals did not close the Covid wards, they are available anytime)," he added. The number of Covid-19 patients admitted in private hospitals remain low, he said. "'Yung mga nagpa-positive talaga karamihan dito ay 'yung mga immunocompromised na nagkakaroon po siguro, nahahawa lang kaya nagpa-positive (Those who are [Covid-19] positive are the immunocompromised. They may have only been infected with the disease)," De Grano said. Most of the healthcare workers in private hospitals are fully vaccinated and have received their booster shots, he added. Nationwide, the number of Covid-19 cases remain low with only about 200 daily average from April 25 to May 1. Data from the National Covid-19 Vaccination Dashboard shows a total of 2,955,589 healthcare workers are fully vaccinated nationwide as of May 1. Of the tally, about 1,359,209 have already received their booster doses. (PNA) }