Quezon Institute set to open facility for COVID-19 patients next week

MANILA, Philippines — A community quarantine facility in Quezon Institute in Quezon City is set to open next week.

This will house individuals who tested positive for the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or persons under investigation (PUIs) showing mild to no symptoms.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday said the health department has already coordinated with the Philippine Tuberculosis Society to open such a facility.

The Philippine Red Cross will likewise set up quarantine tents to house PUIs with mild symptoms or no symptoms.

READ: DOH eyeing Quezon Institute, PRC as partners in setting up quarantine sites

“Ang Department of Health ay nakikipag-ugnayan na sa mga ahensyang ito para sa pagbubukas ng Quezon Institute  sa susunod na linggo,” she said in a virtual press briefing.

(The DOH is coordinating with these agencies in the opening of the Quezon Institute next week.)

Admission to the facility is exclusive to patients referred by rural health units from other cities and municipalities as well from health centers in Metro Manila.

The patients should be asymptomatic or are only exhibiting mild symptoms.

“‘Yung mga may severe na sintomas at mga vulnerable population natin ay sa hospital natin sila pinapadala,” Vergeire said.

(Those with severe symptoms and from the vulnerable population will be sent to hospitals.)

At present, three COVID-19 referral hospitals in the metropolis were designated, namely Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City, Philippine General Hospital (in Manila and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City.

In the DOH’s latest update, 803 individuals are now infected with COVID-19, with 54 deaths and 31 recoveries.

READ: DOH: 803 people in PH now COVID-19 positive; death toll at 54