Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 25) – The Department of Health is eyeing the Quezon Institute and the Philippine Red Cross as the country’s first community quarantine facilities as cases of coronavirus disease continue to rise in the country.
DOH spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said the quarantine facilities are meant for patients under monitoring and investigation, and newly discharged COVID-19 patients.
“Ang community quarantine facilities ay mga lugar kung saan pwede sila ma-monitor nang hindi sila nahahalo sa severe cases,” said Vergeire in an online press briefing.
[Translation: Community quarantine facilities are places where they can be monitored without being close with those with severe cases.]
There are now 636 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 38 deaths and 26 recoveries.
Private hospitals like The Medical City and St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City and Quezon City said recently that they have already reached maximum capacity and can no longer accept more COVID-19 patients.
Meanwhile, referral hospitals exclusive for coronavirus patients namely Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines and Jose Rodriguez Memorial hospital will be ready to accept patients infected with the virus come Friday.
Vergeire also encouraged local government units in other regions to also look for facilities where PUIs can be isolated.
The local governments of Quezon City and the City of Manila have already set up their own quarantine facilities made up of tents that could house possible carriers of the viral disease.
Further, DOH also suggested that gymnasiums and hotels can be good quarantine areas.
“Ang isolation unit ay dapat closed-door na may bentilasyon. Maaaring sa gymnasium, hotel or other establishments,” said Vergeire.
[Translation: An isolation unit should be closed-door with enough ventilation. Gymnasiums, hotel, or other establishments could be isolation units.]
CNN Philippines’ Correspondent Crissy Dimatulac and Multi-Platform News Writer Vince Ferreras contributed to this report
