Duque says Ninoy Aquino Stadium to accept COVID-19 patients starting April 8

Ninoy Aquino Stadium will start accepting COVID-19 patients starting Wednesday, April 8. BCDA

MANILA, Philippines—The Ninoy Aquino Stadium at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex will start accepting COVID-19 patients starting on Wednesday (April 8).

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said on Monday (April 6) that the 112-bed quarantine site is currently undergoing the final stages of cleaning and disinfection.

The facility would have cubicles, each with a bed, side table, chair and power outlets. The air-conditioned stadium would also offer free food and free Wi-fi.

Only COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms will be treated in the quarantine facility.

Prime BMD and Bloomberry Cultural Foundation, Inc., of the Razon Group, transformed the Ninoy Aquino Stadium into a makeshift hospital in just five days.

Hospitals around Metro Manila have been quickly overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, prompting the government and private sector to put up quarantine sites which included the Philippine International Convention Center and the World Trade Center in Metro Manila.

Other areas are the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City Circle, Amoranto Stadium, and Quezon Institute in Quezon City, PhilSports Complex in Pasig, Duty Free Philippines in Paranaque, FTI in Taguig City the Filinvest Tent in Alabang and the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Three quarantine sites—Ninoy Aquino Stadium, PICC and World Trade Center—were inspected on Monday by top officials of the National Task Force COVID-19, led by chief enforcer Carlito Galvez Jr., who is also President Rodrigo Duterte’s adviser on the peace process.

Other officials in the inspection team were Duque and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Two other officials joined the inspection—Vince Dizon, presidential adviser for flagship programs and projects and BCDA President and CEO, and Emil Sadain, public works undersecretary.

Edited by TSB