Manila readies 40K isolation rooms for COVID-19 ‘doom scenario’

Screenshot from Mayor Isko Moreno’s Facebook live

MANILA, Philippines — In the event of a COVID-19 worst-case scenario, the Manila government has prepared 40,000 classrooms from public schools to accommodate COVID-19 patients.

“In a worst-case scenario, we have about 40,000 rooms (classrooms) and so far what we are utilizing is the ground. We are ready and we are grateful to DepEd (Department of Education),” Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said during the launch of the city’s 13th quarantine facility at the Manuel L. Quezon University in Quiapo, Manila.

“Tinatawag nating worst-case scenario or doom scenario. Immediately these (rooms) can be acquired,” he added.

He said, for now, the capital city’s quarantine facility can still house patients. He, however, noted some hospitals are already full of COVID-19 patients

“Ang good news so far, sa quarantine facility natin hindi pa napupuno. Ang marami tayo ay yung nasa ospital,” Moreno said.

(The good news so far the quarantine facility is not yet full. We have many patients in our hospitals.)

Earlier, Manila launched its 13th quarantine facility at Manuel L. Quezon University which will open on Monday, Aug. 10.

Moreno said the isolation facility which has 60-bed capacity is not an ordinary facility for symptomatic patients awaiting their tests.

The facility will accommodate COVID-19-infected persons with no symptoms, Moreno said.

“This is a DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) construction and with DOH assistance. This is a COVID-19 facility for asymptomatic persons,” he said.

To date, the coronavirus disease so far infected 5,179 people in Manila. Of the total, 236 died and 3,690 recovered.

EDV