QC to open 2 new COVID-19 quarantine facilities

Quezon City will open two new quarantine facilities for confirmed, suspect, and probable coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients next week.

According to the city government, the Quezon City General Hospital will open a 336-bed facility, which will be called the HOPE 4. The facility will have 4 dialysis machines and 10 beds that will be dedicated to dialysis patients.

“As we ramp up our testing capacities, we also need to increase our facilities for confirmed or suspected patients. If we isolate them immediately, we can better protect their family from further infection especially if they are living with high-risk individuals such as pregnant, senior citizens, and those with comorbidities,” Joseph Juico, the QC COVID-19 Task Force Head, said.

Meanwhile, the fifth HOPE facility will be located at the Talipapa Senior High School building. The facility will have a 67-bed capacity for mild and asymptomatic cases.

“Isolation is one of the key strategies in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Since we have seen a rise in numbers, we need to expand our quarantine facilities in order to accommodate those who cannot self-isolate in their homes,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Meanwhile, two other facilities will be opened by the local government in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways.

According to the city’s COVID-19 bulletin, there are a total of 2,431 active cases within the city with 6,989 recoveries and 397 fatalities.

HOPE occupancy

At the HOPE 1 facility, 41 out of 45 beds for COVID-positive and suspect patients are occupied with only four left available.

In HOPE 2, 186 beds are occupied by confirmed and suspect COVID-19 patients while 190 beds are still available.

The local government said that those tested in the city’s testing sites are brought to this facility for isolation while waiting for their results.

At the HOPE 3 facility, there are two available rooms for confirmed and suspect patients. The facility was opened to accommodate confirmed and suspect COVID-19 nursing mothers and their children. — DVM, GMA News