The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday, 9 August, announced that it has opened leptospirosis fast lanes in public hospitals as cases top over 2,300.

A total of 2,396 cases of leptospirosis have been recorded since 8 June, a week after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the start of the rainy season.

As of 9 August, 19 DOH hospitals have leptospirosis fast lanes: San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Philippine Orthopedic Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Valenzuela Medical Center, and Tondo Medical Center.

In addition, Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, National Children's Hospital, National Center for Mental Health, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children's Medical Center, and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine also have leptospirosis fast lanes.

In fast lanes, assessments are made to determine whether the patient needs to be admitted to the hospital or not, according to the Health department.

This is also where the patient's risk level is checked to determine whether a prescription for the correct use of doxycycline is given.

The DOH said it is also prepared for the expected increase in leptospirosis cases after the consecutive floods since 21 July caused by the southwest monsoon, Typhoons "Crising," "Dante," and "Emong."