By Kenneth Paciente
Following the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, government-designated mega quarantine facilities have been reopened.
Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary and Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said that Rizal Memorial Coliseum with 97 beds has been reactivated on the second week of March. The Ninoy Aquino Stadium with 127 beds was also reopened.
USec. Vergeire explained that in order to decongest hospitals, these quarantine facilities are now again ready to receive COVID19 patients. These will be used for infected patients who are recovering.
“We are going to restrategize the use of these quarantine facilities para magamit po ng ating mga (to use our) hospital as step down care facility,” USec. Vergeire disclosed.
The DOH has also identified hotels that will be used as quarantine facilities for health care workers who are currently admitted in hospitals due to COVID-19 but with mild symptoms.
“These are all happening right now para ma-decongest po natin ang ating mga hospital (so we can decongest our hospitals),” the official added.
The Quezon Institute with 112 beds in Quezon City is also scheduled to be opened as a quarantine facility on Monday.