The government will be building additional quarantine facilities in the NCR as quarantine facilities, aside from hospitals, are nearing full capacity.
The DOH reported that five of the mega quarantine facilities in Metro Manila and neighboring regions have reached the danger zone which means the utilization rate has reached 70 up to 100 percent.
The DOH clarified that “as of July 28, there are 81,636 beds in the TTMFs with an overall percent occupancy of 24%. TTMF utilization in NCR, Regions I, VII, X and XII are 30-70% utilization or warning zone.”
Testing czar Secretary Vince Dizon said 22 isolation facilities are currently being constructed by the DPWH which are expected to be completed in two to three weeks. The isolation facility in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija is almost done while another mega quarantine facility will rise in Paraῆaque City.
Up to 2,700 beds are reserved in hotels for mild and asymptomatic patients. The government has also been aiming to hire additional medical personnel.
Meanwhile, NTF Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. stated that the government’s COVID-19 response should not be compared to other countries as the Philippines is facing a collateral challenge, including OFW repatriation and return of LSIs.
“Itong mga collateral ang medyo nakikita natin na bumubuhos ang ating suporta. Ito, wala ito sa ibang bansa (We slightly see the pouring of our support to the collaterals. Other countries don’t have them),” Galvez pointed out.
– Report from Bea Bernardo
