MANILA, Philippines — The Makati Friendship Suites in Barangay Cembo is now ready to serve as a quarantine facility for persons under investigation (PUIs) for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Makati City.
Mayor Abby Binay said the three buildings that used to be a hotel have been converted into isolation facilities to prevent further local transmission and so that the local government can attend to the needs of the PUIs.
“We have converted the Makati Friendship Suites three weeks ago as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the city,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.
The five-storey facility can accommodate up to 100 patients.
Binay said doctors and nurses from the Ospital ng Makati will be assigned to monitor the health condition of the patients at the quarantine center.
The Makati mayor added the city government has also formed an Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Disease team composed of first responders from the Makati Health Department, sanitation workers from the Department of Environment Services, and members of the Makati City police for patient management, disinfection, and security.
The mayor also said that medical equipment, including x-ray machines, defibrillators, and cardiac monitors have been set up in the isolation facility.
Aside from the Makati Friendship Suites, barangay health centers have also set up their own isolation areas for those showing symptoms of the illness.