Quarantine facilities to start operations in Puerto Princesa City

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY –– The designated quarantine facilities in the city would start its operations Tuesday and were expected to house persons under investigation (PUI) and some health workers to limit exposure to suspected carriers of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Mayor Lucilo Bayron said intensive measures would be carried out by the city government, after one COVID-positive patient was confirmed on March 20.

Lawyer Arnel Pedrosa, the city administrator, confirmed Tuesday that separate facilities for PUIs and health workers were already prepared and would start operations pending guidelines from the City Health Office.

More than P2 million were drawn from the recently dispensed P472-million calamity budget to fund the COVID-19 project.

The identified locations were not disclosed to the public to maintain confidentiality.

Pedrosa also said that basic needs such as food and transport services would be provided for the PUIs and health workers.

The PUIs waiting for their test results would remain in the said facility. If they test positive, they would be moved to a government hospital in the city for immediate medical care set by the Department of Health (DOH), according to Pedrosa.

Puerto Princesa City has 58 PUIs, including 43 residents, nine from other municipalities, three from other provinces, and three foreign nationals, as of 6 p.m. Monday.

LZB