Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos said more quarantine facilities in Metro Manila were opened amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.
During an online forum Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday, Abalos said from 48 facilities with 4.73% occupancy rate on December 1, there are now 95 quarantine facilities open with a 35.15% occupancy rate.
The MMDA chairman is expecting these facilities to be at full capacity soon, which is why he is suggesting having a home quarantine option again.
“Baka mapuno ulit itong mga isolation (facilities) natin, tingnan natin ‘yung home quarantine. Baka pwede sa bahay ka na lang, magpagaling ka na lang doon,” said Abalos.
[Translation: Isolation facilities may be filled up again, so let’s consider home quarantine. Maybe you can just stay at home and recover there.]
There are some local government units in Metro Manila that do not allow COVID-19 patients to isolate at home.
Abalos said he already talked to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon regarding home quarantine, and that the health department may soon come up with an announcement.
Increasing COVID-19 cases among MMDA employees
From six active cases on Tuesday, the MMDA reported around 70 COVID-positive employees as of Jan. 5.
MMDA General Manager Romando Artes said over 60 employees out of 100 who underwent RT-PCR testing on Tuesday tested positive for the virus.
Artes said most of these employees showed symptoms, prompting the swab tests.
“Kalimitan naman po, mild and asymptomatic ang ating mga breakthrough infections dahil na siguro ang ating mga empleyado, halos 100% vaccinated,” Artes said.
[Translation: Our breakthrough infections are mostly mild and asymptomatic cases perhaps because almost 100% of our employees are vaccinated.]
He explained the affected employees have a high exposure rate to the virus since most of them are in the front line services of the agency.
“Rest assured na lahat po ‘yan ay [that all those infected are] currently in isolation, and we are doing intensive contact tracing to isolate ‘yung mga employees na na-expose [exposed employees],” said Artes.
