QC pushes village-based quarantine facilities

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has pushed for barangay-based quarantine facilities to stop the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in communities, saying that these would help free up hospital beds for moderate, critical and severe cases.

In a memorandum dated Aug. 21, Mayor Joy Belmonte said the facilities should be enclosed with windows and doors, and equipped with adequate lighting, ventilation, appropriate furniture, uninterrupted power supply, running water and laundry service.

The city epidemiology and surveillance unit encouraged barangay officials who were interested in putting up their own isolation facilities to coordinate with the city health department.

However, only COVID-19 patients with mild or no symptoms, as well as those recovering from the contagious disease may be admitted to the barangay-­based facilities.

Two hours away

A barangay-based quarantine facility should also be at most two hours away from the nearest hospital, Belmonte said.

Meanwhile, an additional 800 beds for confirmed and suspected patients will soon be available with the opening of four more quarantine facilities on top of the four already operating.

The fifth Hope community-­caring facility will open next week at the city-owned Talipapa Senior High School Building with 67 beds for mild and asymptomatic cases.

The three other facilities will be at Quezon City General Hospital (366 beds), Emilio Jacinto Senior High School (427 beds) and Quezon City University where 16 container vans will be turned into 64 isolation units.