Bulacan starts consolidated treatment of COVID-19 as cases run rampant

The newly-built 20-bed capacity mega quarantine facility at the Bulacan Sports Complex in the City of Malolos will augment the treatment of COVID-19 cases in the province. Three more structures like this were proposed to be built in Bulacan to address the province’s COVID-19 rampage. PHOTO BY CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE

CITY OF MALOLOS—The Bulacan Medical Center (BMC), the province’s main government hospital, has been converted into a facility that will exclusively treat COVID-19 patients, an official said.

In an interview on Monday (April 19), Gov. Daniel Fernando said all non-COVID-19 cases will be handled by the seven district hospitals which were also directed to stop accommodating COVID-19 patients.

The strategy was meant to consolidate in one place the treatment of COVID-19 patients amid a surge in cases recently.

Fernando said the use of BMC solely as a COVID-19 facility will augment the operation of the Bulacan Infection Control Center (BICC), which is the province’s main hospital for COVID-19 patients.

Inaugurated in 2020, the BICC has an initial 100-bed capacity. It has now expanded to 200 beds with the BMC OB Gyne Building housing the additional beds, the governor said.

All the district hospitals were each assigned a treatment specialization.

The Calumpit District Hospital, for instance, will cater to gynecology and pediatric patients while the Plaridel Infirmary, also called the BMC Extension, will focus on out-patient services. It will also house the BMC Animal Bite Center.

The Emilio G. Perez District Hospital will serve children sick with non-COVID diseases and other patients with no COVID-19.

Fernando said the Gregorio Del Pilar District Hospital will function as a surgical hospital while San Miguel District, Baliwag District and Rogaciano Memorial Hospital in Sta. Maria town will remain as general hospitals.

Critical non-COVID patients can be brought to Rogaciano and Baliwag District, he said.

Doctors and nurses would be transferred to hospitals according to needs and assigned functions.

Fernando has given strict orders that no patient should be turned away by any hospital in the province.

The Bulacan State University (BSU) Building, which is being used as quarters of frontline health workers, had been converted into a recovery, or step-down, facility for BICC patients.

Fernando said the Governance Center quarantine facility has been updated and converted into a treatment facility for frontline medical workers.

Glen Reyes, head of the Bulacan provincial engineering office, said the provincial government has fast-tracked the completion of the P16-million mega quarantine facility at the Bulacan Sports Complex in the city. It can accommodate up to 20 individuals with moderate COVID-19 cases.

Bulacan now has 23,558 COVID-19 cases, 614 deaths and 19,948 recoveries. It also has 3,496 active cases.

TSB