Navotas out of beds for virus patients

As the number of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country breached the 54,000 mark, the Navotas City government has reported that its isolation facilities for residents are both at full capacity. As a result, new patients may be referred to megaquarantine facilities outside the city, according to Mayor Toby Tiangco. In a statement, Tiangco said there were 900 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Navotas, 516 of which were active. The city’s two community isolation facilities at Navotas National High School and Navotas Polytechnic College have a combined bed capacity of 210, double the minimum requirement of the Department of Health, he explained. According to Irish Cubillan, city public information office chief, the local government was arranging the transfer of around 200 residents—all currently on home quarantine—to Philippine Arena in Bulacan province which has a 300-bed capacity. —MEG ADONIS