Government Resorts to Converting Other Structure into Quarantine Facilities

by Claire Leal

The continuously rising number of COVID-19 positive patients in the Philippines is overwhelming the hospitals all around the country. The government is making every effort to address this problem and unclog hospitals in the country most especially the NCR where most of the cases are treated.

Some facilities are converted into hospitals like hotels, malls that can accommodate more COVID-19 patients. There are orders for the Department of Transportation to identify maritime vessels that will be used as recovery and treatment facilities dubbing them “floating quarantine centers”. The Department of Tourism is also moving to identify hotels in every region of the country to be converted into facilities.

The Friendship Suites has been converted into isolation facilities for PUI’s. It can accommodate up to 100 patients and is equipped with cardiac monitors, defibrillators, and x-rays.

The Philippine Arena and Garden Suites are under construction for COVID-19 patients coming from the CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela) with 1,065 rooms for patients and 476 suites which will be shared by health workers. The ASEAN Convention Center in Clark Freeport Zone which will be provided with medical equipment by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority has 150 bed capacity with air-conditioned cubicles. The National Government Administrative Center in Tarlac will accept 1000 patients who have mild to zero symptoms. The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex will accommodate 112 patients as well as serve as recovery areas for patients with mild symptoms-including patients from Philippine General Hospital. The PICC forum tent which will be manned by Philippine National Police Medical Corp is being prepared to house 249 patients. Houses outside are provided for healthcare workers.

A passenger ship located in Eva Macapagal Super Terminal was prepared to accommodate patients with mild, advance, and severe symptoms. The ship will be manned and equipped by the Department of Health personnel as well as the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Ports Authority. The ship is complete with hospital beds, desks, chairs, portable lavatories, cargo containers for showers, and open-air dining facilities according to the Department of Transportation. It is said to have 211 cubicles that are distributed in different areas.

The World Trade Center which can accommodate 500 patients, was opened as a quarantine facility for Overseas Filipino Workers who came home to the country, especially those who are supposed to undergo a 14-day quarantine. The newly converted facility has 18 doctors, 30 nurses, 60 medical aides and security and administrative personnel from the military.