MANILA, Philippines—At least 16 suspected COVID-19 patients, all military men, are now confined at the presidential yacht, BRP Ang Pangulo (ACS-25), and getting treatment, according to the Philippine Navy.
The vessel, which arrived from Davao City at Pier 13 in South Harbor in late April, is treating military front liners who had been put on quarantine while waiting for results of rapid coronavirus tests taken at the AFP General Hospital in Quezon City, the Navy said in a statement.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered the Philippine Navy to transform the presidential yacht into a hospital ship.
The Philippine government has recently converted several stadiums and convention centers in Metro Manila and northern Luzon into quarantine facilities to ease the pressure on hospitals overwhelmed by COVID-19 cases.
The BRP Ang Pangulo can accommodate up to 28 coronavirus patients with five medical personnel.
To prepare the ship’s crew for this task, its officers and men underwent a two-day training on infection prevention control and patient management in Davao City, the Navy said.
The ship was also checked for compliance with safety and health protocols.