Quezon City officials said they are preparing for the worst-case scenario. City disaster management chief Michael Marasigan said the local government is eyeing the Quezon Memorial Circle and Quezon City University as possible sites to host persons under monitoring for possible infection.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 24) — The governments of Quezon and Manila cities reported an increased number of COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. Quezon City now has 62 patients confirmed with the disease while Manila has 30 infected residents.
Over 39,300 food boxes have also been distributed to residents of the city in the past 48 hours, Moreno reported.
There are now 12 barangays under extreme enhanced community quarantine due to the number of COVID-19 cases or proximity to hospitals. These are:
– Tandang Sora
– Kalusugan
– Ramon Magsaysay
– Maharlika
– San Isidro Labrador
– Tatalon
– Damayang Lagi
– Batasan Hills
– Masagana
– Bagong Silangan
– Pasong Tamo
– Central
Quezon City, the largest city in Metro Manila, has the most number of COVID-19 cases in the region.
Earlier in the day, the Health Department reported that the Philippines now has a total of 552 COVID-19 cases, with 35 deaths and 20 recoveries.
“Kaya nga tayo naghahanda nga mas malalaking facility na pwedeng magaccomodate like sa Quezon Memorial Circle kaya niya maghouse ng 100 [persons under investigation and persons under monitoring] doon,” Marasigan told CNN Philippines in a phone interview.
[Translation: That is why we are preparing a bigger facilities that can accommodate, like the Quezon Memorial Circle which can house 100 (persons under investigation and persons under monitoring)]
A hundred tents have been set up at the circle’s covered basketball court where patients will be staying to receive daily ration. Marasigan said residents under monitoring may move to the tents if the designated hotel for COVID-19 patients is filled to capacity. The hotel can accommodate 40 patients. A tent for health personnel and government staff is also available at the court so they could monitor the patients.
At Quezon City University, 140 tents have also been put up.
Quezon City reported 13 more COVID-19 cases and three more fatalities, with the death toll now at six. Six people have recovered from the disease so far.
The city will also open the Baesa Crematorium to COVID-19 victims, to help families who cannot afford to cremate their loved ones who lost the fight against the pandemic, said Marasigan.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced that 17 more residents in the city have reportedly contracted the disease within 24 hours. A female patient from Sta. Ana also recovered from the disease, Moreno shared.
Cities gear up
Meanwhile, Moreno said 1,083 frontline health workers have been given free accommodation by hotels.
The mayor earlier urged hotel companies to open their facilities to health workers especially those who do not reside in the city and have to commute to work. Earlier, Moreno said three of these companies have agreed to lend over 500 rooms to the city’s frontliners.
The Health Department earlier reported that the number of COVID-19 cases has already jumped to 552, with 35 deaths. Some 20 have also recovered from the deadly disease.
