DOH eyes ‘community quarantine facilities’ for COVID-19 cases with mild symptoms, asymptomatic

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) will set up quarantine facilities in communities to house patients who have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 but are either showing mild symptoms or asymptomatic.

Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said in a televised press briefing Tuesday that only patients exhibiting severe symptoms or are high-risk will be admitted to DOH-referral hospitals for COVID-19.

“Kapag umayos na ang protocol natin at naipatupad natin, magkakaroon na po tayo ng mga facilities sa komunidad – community quarantine facilities – kung saan po ilalagak ang COVID-posiitve patients na may mild symptoms o ‘di kaya ay walang simtomas para hiwalay sila dun sa mga severe at kritikal na kaso at dun sa mga vulnerable population na dadalhin at ilalagak sa hospital,” she said in a televised press briefing on Tuesday.

(Once we settle our protocol and enforced it, we will already have facilities in communities –community quarantine facilities – where COVID-19 positive patients who have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic will be confined so that they will be separated from those who are in critical condition or those vulnerable population that will be admitted to the hospital.)

DOH earlier said arrangements are being finalized to establish the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital in Manila, Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City, and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City as referral centers for persons infected with COVID-19.

Vergeire revealed DOH is searching for more health facilities that it can tap as referral hospitals.

KGA