“We want to do this in Central Luzon and Southern Luzon where there is a severe attack,” Gordon said in a virtual presser on Wednesday. The NCR, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon are the top three regions with the greatest number of COVID-19 cases.
As of April 12, Department of Health data showed that 52.76% or 1,145 isolation beds are occupied in Central Luzon while 67.51% or 1,228 are in use in Calabarzon. Latest data also indicate that 50% of isolation beds in the country are already utilized.
Currently, nine schools in Metro Manila have agreed to turn some of their facilities and dormitories into isolation wards. These include Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, Adamson University, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, and five public elementary and high schools in the region.
Gordon said these isolation facilities are expected to operate within the coming days.
“We will try to make them all operational by this week. Hindi naman mahirap, basta may maayos na dorm, lilinisin lang namin nang maigi, magdadala kami ng mga kama, at ‘yung mga food trucks natin pupunta dun,” he said. “Ang importante diyan ay ‘yung sanitization and health ng mga tao.”
[Translation: We will try to make them all operational by this week. It’s not difficult, as long as there are proper dorms, we will just clean them, we will bring beds, and food trucks will also be sent there. What’s important is the sanitization and health of the people.]
Gordon added that there will be nurses available and ambulances on standby in these isolation wards.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said only those with serious symptoms must be admitted to hospitals, adding that those with mild to moderate symptoms should be referred instead to temporary treatment and monitoring facilities.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 14) — The Philippine Red Cross is eyeing to tap other schools outside the National Capital Region to serve as isolation facilities for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, its chairman Senator Richard Gordon said.
